NATO Calls for Accelerated Biotech Innovation
(MENAFN) NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called on member nations to speed up innovation and funding in biotechnology to reinforce the alliance’s military capabilities.
Addressing NATO’s inaugural Biotechnology Conference in Belgium on Tuesday, Rutte characterized the gathering as “a meaningful step” toward improving cooperation and unlocking the potential of biotechnology.
“Advancing innovation in biotechnology is a key part of this,” he emphasized. “It will help ensure our militaries have the best and most enhanced capabilities.”
Rutte highlighted that contemporary defense demands go beyond conventional military resources. “To stay safe, we don’t just need the tanks and the jets and the ships and the drones and the ammunition,” he noted.
“We also need to develop, to acquire, and to integrate biotechnology in our defense capabilities.”
He cautioned that rival powers like China and Russia are making swift progress in the sector.
Pointing to China, he said that “public funding for Chinese biotech research totaled at least $3 billion in 2023” and criticized China’s approach, noting its “strategy in this area weaponizes supply chains and trade restrictions.”
Regarding Russia, he claimed the country is using biotechnology for secretive objectives. “It seeks, Russia, to exploit malicious tools, such as its biological weapons program, that it can use against its adversaries,” Rutte said.
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