Summary
A U.S. senator emphasizes the need for America to maintain its lead in biotechnology as China makes significant progress in the field. The senator warns that losing this race could affect the U.S. economy and national security. He suggests that government leaders must prioritize biotechnology to keep the U.S. competitive.
Key Facts
- The U.S. currently leads in biotechnology, but China is quickly catching up.
- Chinese biotech companies have increased from around 100 to over 3,000 since 2016.
- China's share in global pharmaceutical trials and biotech fields like synthetic biology has significantly grown.
- Biotechnology in the U.S. contributes to 7% of the private-sector GDP and supports about 10 million jobs.
- The senator suggests that protecting and investing in basic research is crucial for U.S. biotech leadership.
- U.S. biotech advancements are important for health, national security, and global influence.
- The senator calls for government action to prioritize biotechnology as a national strategy.
