The Biotechnology Revolution

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

In September 2022, Jake Sullivan—President Biden’s national security adviser—stated that the U.S. government expects biotechnology to play an “outsized importance over the coming decade” in the context of geopolitical competition, because of the ability to “read, write, and edit genetic code, which has rendered biology programmable.” Driven by governments and businesses looking to meet emissions reductions targets, maintain resilient supply chains, ensure food security, and further reduce reliance on fossil fuels, experts anticipate that, by the end of the decade, biotechnology could be used extensively in manufacturing industries that account for more than a third of global output—a shade under $30 trillion in terms of value. To compete during the computer revolution, countries developed new national security and economic strategies to address the geopolitics of information—all indications are that world leaders will need to similarly adapt to the biotechnology revolution. This 3.0 credit course introduces students to key trends and technologies, considers some of the major applications and geopolitical implications, and provides practical experience and insights for international affairs and the emerging bioeconomy.