Eric Schmidt at the SynBioBeta conference.
symbiobeta
Former GoogleGOOG CEO Eric Schmidt is betting big on his new passion: the bioeconomy. Last year, his philanthropic organization Schmidt Futures launched the Bio-Futures Group on how the U.S. government should invest in growing a vital part of the economy made up of goods and services built on biology. published a strategy report summarizing the recommendations of In 2022, Eric and I enjoyed a fireside conversation at his SynBioBeta conference. A year later, I asked Eric for an update. Here is his full reply.
You mentioned the bioeconomy moonshot as a way to promote biotechnology progress. Are you most excited about the latest developments and advances in synthetic biology?
I am excited about AI’s potential to accelerate the development of a thriving bioeconomy.
Without advanced computational technology, the discoveries of the last decade, such as discovering new ways to store data in DNA instead of energy-hungry data centers, would not have been possible. I am excited about the prospect of AI accelerating many areas of the bioeconomy, such as biomedicine, agriculture, and industry, and broadly driving new fundamental research discoveries in biology.
But for now, the use of AI tools in the scientific and engineering research ecosystem is still in its early stages of adoption, rather than being a default part of researchers’ toolkits. So, while the explosive growth of machine learning and cloud computing and the dramatic advances in generating data on biological systems through next-generation DNA sequencing and single-cell genomics are already game-changing, what remains to be discovered is There are still many. And AI can really drive this process of scientific discovery.
But besides AI, there are other developments in the industry worth noting. For example, biotechnology innovators are making strides to reduce our dependence on petroleum, and bio-based manufacturing offers an alternative to the usual methods of producing industrial and consumer goods. Let’s take an example. LanzaTech has announced a strategic partnership with a Swiss sports brand to bring sustainable foam materials to its high performance running shoes. This new form is created through a fermentation process driven by trapped carbon monoxide emitted from industrial sources, rather than chemically made from petroleum like similar forms. These are just a few of the many new bio-based products that have emerged in the last year.
One of the challenges you mentioned last year was the need to increase cooperation between different sectors and disciplines in the biotech industry. Were there any recent significant examples of successful partnerships that you think could be the beginning of meaningful change?
Last June, BioMADE issued a special project call to advance bioreactor design and development, with support from Schmidt Futures and financial sponsorship from the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (a non-profit public-private partnership). This was an important step, as we know that scaling scientific discoveries from the lab to the market requires much more investment in infrastructure, workforce, and advanced manufacturing science and engineering. The commercial-scale creation of new types of bio-based products, namely products from renewable carbon sources such as plants, could be greatly accelerated by innovation in bioreactors. And just last month, in response to that project call, BioMADE announced five of his new projects focused on bioreactor innovation.
And I believe the BioMADE model increases the chances of a successful partnership for three reasons. First, it is based in Minneapolis St. Louis. Located in Paul, Minnesota, in the heart of our nation. This is important because the future prosperity of the bioeconomy depends on the even distribution of produce across the country, not just in known coastal hubs of biotechnology such as Boston and San Francisco. Second, members co-invest in projects. This gives us the opportunity to go further than academic and commercial organizations. And third, the BioMADE ecosystem is focused on sharing the new tools and technologies it creates while preserving its own information. So anything new the members create together will be shared with other her BioMADE members. This is the kind of collaboration needed to move the field forward for the public good. We are excited about his new BioMADE partnership in bioreactor innovation, but it doesn’t stop there. We also believe in the need for biosensor innovation and look forward to facilitating new biosensor technology partnerships in the coming year.
Ethical considerations are an important part of the biotechnology industry. Over the past year, what recent progress has been made in addressing ethical concerns related to biotechnology? What more needs to be done? Compare and contrast the AI debate with the SynBio debate What should we learn from the public reaction to the deployment of new technologies?
First, let’s look at the similarities between the debates surrounding biotechnology and AI. Fundamentally, I think they converge on a matter of public trust and confidence that new technologies will be applied responsibly and ultimately improve the lives of the public.
Many products from the bioeconomy are already well integrated into our daily lives. For example, consumers are now buying laundry detergents containing biologically-produced enzymes that work best in cold water, plant-based protein foods that look and taste like meat, and bio-based nylons. You can now buy clothing items, and even leather-like clothing items made from mushrooms. I don’t think anyone would dispute that these are positive developments.
AI recording is more complicated. AI is already advancing science for the public good, but it is not enough to say that if AI is misused, it can have detrimental effects on our society and democracy, including polarization and misinformation. I already have proof.
Governance questions were raised over pathogen research last year, and Congress was concerned about a possible moratorium. Who should decide where and how research should be done? How should it be coordinated nationally and internationally? These are important issues, and this year we see action from governments and biotech leaders to rigorously examine the ethical, legal, social and environmental conditions associated with biotechnology and biomanufacturing. think.
Governments and policy makers play a key role in supporting the growth of the biotechnology industry. Do you think the Biden administration’s recent executive orders and pledges to advance biotechnology and biomanufacturing are having an impact on the SynBio space?
The Bioeconomy Executive Order outlines how the United States aligns and strategically advances the U.S. bioeconomy toward multiple goals, including carbon management, economic development, biosecurity and biosafety, and the workforce of the future. It heralds a dramatic change in If I understand the timeline correctly, the White House is due to finalize an implementation plan next month that includes specific actions that the United States can take to strategically advance the U.S. bioeconomy. I am optimistic that it will be written. These actions include a deliberate focus on moving engineering biology discoveries from the lab to the marketplace, new financing programs for biomanufacturing infrastructure, and new technology development through a new streamlined and clear regulatory process. can be expected to include helping people.
Last year you mentioned the potential of biotechnology to address environmental and sustainability issues. How have developments in the field progressed since your presentation at the 2022 SynBioBeta conference, and what do you see as notable examples of the application of biotechnology for sustainability?
Last year we saw some important developments in biotechnology to address the climate crisis, especially in industry. Living Carbon is a company that develops trees that are genetically engineered to grow faster and capture more CO2 from the atmosphere.
Sustainable building companies are also looking at ways to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in the construction industry. Portland cement (OPC) production accounts for over 8% of global carbon emissions, four times the aviation industry. Biomason and StoneCycling recently partnered to launch bio-based tile products in Europe. It would be great if the US could also look to bio-based building materials to reduce carbon emissions.
Additionally, many companies are now expanding production of cell-cultured meat, poultry, and seafood, with a major benefit being significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at scale. The Impossible Burger, a plant-based non-meat product that tastes like meat, is now well-known as a pioneer of these new meat products. It uses 96% less land, 87% less water and 89% less emissions in making burger patties than burgers made from beef. Therefore, from my point of view, the future looks bright if the application of biotechnology for sustainability is successful.
follow me twitter Or LinkedIn. check out my website.
