Senate committee passes Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2020

In Washington, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed S. 3734, a bipartisan bill designed to strengthen the national bioeconomy. S. 3734, the Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2020, would:

Establish an Initiative through the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to advance research and development, advance biomanufacturing, develop the future bioeconomy workforce, and support research in ethical, legal, environmental, safety, security, and societal issues.

Direct the National Academies to review ethical, legal, environmental, safety, security, and societal issues related to engineering biology. Direct OSTP to lead an interagency coordination committee and define roles of participating agencies.