Safeguarding the Bioeconomy

Research and innovation in the life sciences is driving rapid growth in agriculture, biomedical science, information science and computing, energy, and other sectors of the U.S. economy. This economic activity, conceptually referred to as the bioeconomy, presents many opportunities to create jobs, improve the quality of life, and continue to drive economic growth. While the United States has been a leader in advancements in the biological sciences, other countries are also actively investing in and expanding their capabilities in this area. Maintaining competitiveness in the bioeconomy is key to maintaining the economic health and security of the United States and other nations.

Safeguarding the Bioeconomy evaluates preexisting and potential approaches for assessing the value of the bioeconomy and identifies intangible assets not sufficiently captured or that are missing from U.S. assessments. This study considers strategies for safeguarding and sustaining the economic activity driven by research and innovation in the life sciences. It also presents ideas for horizon scanning mechanisms to identify new technologies, markets, and data sources that have the potential to drive future development of the bioeconomy.

Research and innovation in the life sciences is driving rapid growth in agriculture, biomedical science, information science and computing, energy, and other sectors of the U.S. economy. This economic activity, conceptually referred to as the bioeconomy, presents many opportunities to create jobs, improve the quality of life, and continue to drive economic growth. While the United States has been a leader in advancements in the biological sciences, other countries are also actively investing in and expanding their capabilities in this area. Maintaining competitiveness in the bioeconomy is key to maintaining the economic health and security of the United States and other nations. Safeguarding the Bioeconomy evaluates preexisting and potential approaches for assessing the value of the bioeconomy and identifies intangible assets not sufficiently captured or that are missing from U.S. assessments. This study considers strategies for safeguarding and sustaining the economic activity driven by research and innovation in the life sciences. It also presents ideas for horizon scanning mechanisms to identify new technologies, markets, and data sources that have the potential to drive future development of the bioeconomy. Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 IntroductionPART I: DEFINING AND MEASURING THE U.S. BIOECONOMY2 Defining the U.S. Bioeconomy3 Frameworks for Measuring the Value of the U.S. Bioeconomy4 Areas of Leadership in the Global EconomyPART II: UNDERSTANDING THE ECOSYSTEM AND IDENTIFYING NEW TRENDS IN THE U.S. BIOECONOMY5 The Ecosystem of the U.S. Bioeconomy6 Horizon Scanning and Forecast MethodsPART III: UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE U.S. BIOECONOMY7 Economic and National Security Risks Pertaining to the BioeconomyPART IV: STRATEGIES FOR SAFEGUARDING THE U.S. BIOECONOMY8 Overall Conclusions and RecommendationsAppendix A: Committee BiographiesAppendix B: Invited SpeakersAppendix C: Participating Boards