Hoosier State Today

U.S. Senator Todd Young recently testified before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation. His testimony centered on the critical role of biotechnology in America's national security amidst ongoing competition with China. The context for the testimony was a newly released report by the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, which Young chairs.

Discussing the geopolitical implications, Young stated, “Today, the United States is locked in a competition with China that will define the coming century. This competition is playing out not only through arms races but also through the quest to dominate cutting edge technology. Biotechnology is the next phase is this competition."

Senator Young emphasized the multifaceted benefits of biotechnology, including its potential to maintain military dominance and support the manufacturing sector. He said, “Biotechnology can help us maintain military superiority, ensuring our warfighters continue to be the strongest fighting force on tomorrow’s battlefields. Biotech will reshore supply chains and revitalize our manufacturing sector, creating American jobs for American workers creating American products right here in America."

Young expressed that biotechnology has evolved beyond scientific achievement, becoming a key component for national security and economic power. He noted, “Biotechnology is no longer constrained to the realm of scientific achievement. It is now an imperative for national security, economic power, and global influence. The recommendations in our report represent our best chance to ensure biotechnology remains a hallmark of American innovation."

The testimony underlines the strategic importance of biotechnology in maintaining U.S. leadership on the global stage.