The Present and Future Promise of Synthetic Biology

02/06/20 • -1 min

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) invites you to attend the inaugural event in our Synthetic Biology: The Ongoing Technology Revolution Series. This initial event will introduce the science of synthetic biology, as well as the opportunities and risks it presents to both national security and the global economy. This event will serve as the first of four events, which will convene a diverse set of experts to discuss the security and economic policy implications of this critical emerging technology.
Synthetic Biology: The Ongoing Technology Revolution Series
Emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5G, and synthetic biology—drive security and economic competition and are increasingly shaping national strategies. To develop an effective strategy for synthetic biology, policy makers and the general public need a better understanding of synthetic biology’s underlying capabilities, state of development, and diverse applications. Through a series of four symposia, CSIS will explore synthetic biology’s wide-ranging applications—from advanced microelectronics and materials to nutrition and cosmetics —and opportunities to shape its future development in support of U.S. security and economic interests. This series will include targeted discussions on synthetic biology’s:

Present and future potential as a critical emerging technology;
Economic, societal, and international implications;
National security opportunities and risks; and
Implications for emerging technology policy.

CSIS hopes you will join us for our inaugural event on February 6and will continue the discussion in the events that follow.
This series of events is sponsored by Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.

Present and future potential as a critical emerging technology;
Economic, societal, and international implications;
National security opportunities and risks; and
Implications for emerging technology policy.

CSIS hopes you will join us for our inaugural event on February 6and will continue the discussion in the events that follow.
This series of events is sponsored by Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.

Previous Episode

China Initiative Conference

RSVPs will be re-confirmed via email from the Technology Policy team. Credentialed members of the press will receive instructions as part of a separate confirmation issued by the Office of External Relations. For more information, contact [email protected].

In November 2018, the Department of Justice unveiled the China Initiative, which was established to fulfill the Department’s strategic priority of confronting national security threats presented by the People’s Republic of China, with a particular emphasis placed on the policies and practices that seek to challenge U.S. technological and scientific leadership. This half-day event brings together high-level officials from the U.S. government, private industry and academia, to discuss the most timely and relevant issues regarding the Department of Justice’s efforts to counter this economic malfeasance.

Agenda
8:00 am — Welcome by James Lewis, CSIS, and John Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security

8:05 am — Opening remarks by Christopher Wray, FBI Director

8:25 am — Threat Briefing by William Evanina, Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center

8:45 am — China case overview

Adam Hickey, Deputy Assistant Attorney General
John Brown, Assistant Director, Counterintelligence Division, FBI

9:05 am — U.S. Attorney Panel – “The China Initiative”

Moderated by Brian Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division
Jay Town, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama
Andrew Lelling, U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
Richard Donoghue, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York
Erin Nealy Cox, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas

9:45 am — Break

10:00 am — Keynote address by William Barr, U.S. Attorney General

10:30 am — Industry Experience Panel

Moderated by Aruna Viswanatha, Wall Street Journal Justice Department Correspondent
William Zarit, The Cohen Group
Jeremie Waterman, President, China Center, Vice President, Greater China, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
John Neuffer, President and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association
John Carlin, Former Assistant Attorney General for National Security

11:20 am — Academic Experience Panel

Moderated by Jude Blanchette, Freeman Chair in China Studies, CSIS
Dr. Doug Girod, Chancellor of Kansas University
Dr. Greg Fenves, President of the University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Mary Sue Coleman, President of the Association of American Universities
Dr. Michael Lauer, Deputy Director for Extramural Research at NIH

12:10 pm — Closing remarks by John Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security

This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

Next Episode

PRC Interference in Taiwan's Elections

Please join the CSIS China Power Project, Freeman Chair in China Studies, and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics on February 11 for a special discussion on the methods and impact of PRC interference in Taiwan’s recent presidential and legislative elections. The event will feature a keynote and Q&A with Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s Digital Minister, and a panel discussion featuring Puma Shen of National Taipei University and Nick Monaco of the Institute for the Future. China Power Project director Bonnie Glaser and Freeman Chair Jude Blanchette will serve in commentator and moderator roles.

AGENDA

9:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
Jude Blanchette, Freeman Chair in China Studies, CSIS

9:15 a.m. Keynote Address and Q&A
, Audrey TangDigital Minister, Taiwan

Q&A Moderator:
Bonnie S. Glaser, Director, China Power Project and Senior Adviser for Asia, CSIS

10:00 a.m. Panel Discussion: Methods and Impact of PRC Interference in Taiwan’s Elections
Panelist 1: Puma Shen, Associate Professor of Criminology, National Taipei University
Panelist 2: Nick Monaco, Research Director, Digital Intelligence Lab, Institute for the Future

Commentator: Bonnie S. Glaser

10:45 a.m. Panelists Q&A
Moderator: Jude Blanchette

11:30 a.m. Event End

This event is funded with support from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States.