CNAS Launches Task Force on Biotechnology and American Competitiveness

Washington, November 2, 2022—The Center for a New American Security is pleased to announce the launch of its Task Force on Biotechnology and American Competitiveness.

The Task Force will bring together experts from government, industry, and academia to respond to critical challenges at the nexus of U.S. national security and biotechnology. Drawing from member insights, the CNAS research team will develop actionable recommendations to tackle acute biosecurity issues and bolster American competitiveness across the biotechnology landscape—from synthetic biology to pharmaceuticals to genomic editing.

The CNAS Biotech Task Force will be chaired by Michael Chertoff, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and now Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of The Chertoff Group. Martijn Rasser, Senior Fellow and Director of the CNAS Technology and National Security Program, will serve as Executive Director of the Task Force.

“Biotechnology is the next frontier of innovation and industry, with huge transformational potential for American society and the economy,” said Secretary Chertoff. “I’m honored to lead this important effort.”

“The United States is at a pivotal juncture,” said Rasser. “The decisions on biotechnology that our leaders make in the next few years will have outsized implications for America’s competitive edge decades hence. I look forward to working with Secretary Chertoff and the task force members to shape that future.”

Full membership of the CNAS Biotech Task Force will be announced at a later date.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Cameron Edinburgh at [email protected]