The Quad’s contribution to revolutionising biotechnology strategies
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In this publication, Shravishtha Ajaykumar talks about how each of the Quad nationas play distinct roles in biotechnology and why they should establish data-sharing guidelines for fair use of data and return on outcomes and leverage their alliance in the WHO to establish standards for genetic engineering and synthetic biology, including by establishing norms for genome editing.
Key points
- The Quad countries have invested in pharmacology, neuropharmacology and agriculture individually, establishing themselves with a focus on life extension and enhancement using biotechnology.
- The 21st century has introduced significant technologies within biotechnology, including synthetic biology, genetic editing, and genetic engineering. These technologies have wide-ranging social implications, impacting agriculture, medical research, and disease prevention.
- Over the last decade, biotechnology has gained significant attention in three primary application areas: bioinformatics and bioproduction; genetic engineering and synthetic biology; and biosecurity and biosafety. Each contributes to medical advancements, industrial processes, agricultural productivity, and global biosafety.
- The Quad nations play distinct roles in biotechnology. Australia excels in regenerative medicine and agriculture, Japan focuses on the pharmaceutical sector, the United States leads across biotechnology sectors, and India aims to address healthcare and agricultural challenges.
Policy recommendations
Quad countries should:
- Establish data-sharing guidelines for fair use of data and return on outcomes. This will also encourage increased investment in research and development of bioproduction.
- Leverage their alliance in the WHO to establish standards for genetic engineering and synthetic biology, including by establishing norms for genome editing.
- Revitalise the Australia Group for biosecurity and biosafety to increase focus on global biosafety standards in biosafety labs, especially level 3 and level 4 for biosafety labs (BSL3 and BSL4). Further expand the Australia Group to include more Indo-Pacific
About the series
This paper has been written for the Quad Tech Network Dialogue, as part of the Quad Tech Network (QTN) initiative. QTN is an initiative of the NSC, delivered with support from the Australian Government. It aims to establish and deepen academic and official networks linking the Quad nations – Australia, India, Japan, and the United States – in relation to the most pressing technology issues affecting the future security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.
