Chapter 1: Introduction to Biden's Science Agenda

The "Reengineering Life" column from Future Human examines how humanity employs biological science to transform our bodies and the environment. In a press conference held on January 16, just days before his inauguration, President Joe Biden introduced key figures in his White House science team. He appointed the esteemed geneticist and mathematician Eric Lander, PhD, as the chief science advisor, marking the first time this role has been elevated to a Cabinet position.

This decision signals a commitment to prioritizing scientific inquiry within the Biden administration.

Lander, taking over as director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), succeeds meteorologist Kelvin Droegemeier, PhD, who took office two years into the Trump administration—the longest delay in filling this position since at least 1976. The OSTP's role is to advise the president on scientific and technological matters and coordinate initiatives across federal agencies.

In contrast to his predecessor, Biden was quick to establish his science advisory team, which faces an array of urgent scientific challenges. The foremost task is managing the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuring swift vaccine distribution. Additionally, climate change remains a significant concern. Biden's administration also seeks to leverage science and technology to advance social justice and equity.

“Science and technology benefits are disproportionately distributed across racial, gender, economic, and geographic lines,” Biden noted in a letter to Lander dated January 15. “What measures can we take to ensure that all Americans share in the benefits of science and technology?”

Lander, a leader in genetics, is the founding director of the Broad Institute, a prominent biomedical and genomic research facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts, affiliated with Harvard University and MIT. He is taking a leave from the Broad to fulfill his new responsibilities. Lander previously led the Human Genome Project, a monumental 13-year international effort that successfully mapped the human DNA code by 2003. During the Obama administration, he co-chaired the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

The Broad Institute features one of the world’s largest genome sequencing facilities and serves as a pivotal center for genetic research. Researchers there advocate for greater diversity in genetic datasets, as most current data stems from individuals of European descent. Expanding these datasets could yield critical insights into health and disease risks for other populations. One significant initiative involves conducting the largest psychiatric genetics study in Africa to deepen our understanding of genetic factors related to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Moreover, the Broad Institute has been spearheading extensive Covid-19 testing across various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and vulnerable communities in Massachusetts. Lander's experience with such initiatives may prove beneficial in advising the president on similar nationwide efforts.

With Lander's rich background in genetics, the U.S. government might accelerate genetic sequencing to identify emerging coronavirus variants, an area where the nation currently lags. Sequencing provides a comprehensive view of an organism's genetic code, allowing for comparisons with other samples. Increasing the number of sequenced coronavirus samples nationwide could enhance our understanding of the virus's evolution and mutation patterns.

Improved sequencing capabilities could also help identify new viral variants and determine which communities are most vulnerable to infection.

Lander has faced controversy in his career. In 2016, he was criticized for minimizing the contributions of two female scientists, Jennifer Doudna, PhD, and Emmanuelle Charpentier, PhD, while discussing the gene-editing tool CRISPR, focusing instead on his colleague Feng Zhang, PhD. Doudna and Charpentier received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry the following year for their groundbreaking work. Lander also drew criticism in 2018 for toasting James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA, despite Watson's history of racist and sexist remarks; Lander later apologized, clarifying that he did not endorse Watson's views.

In a January 21 opinion piece in Scientific American, the nonprofit organization 500 Women Scientists expressed disappointment in Biden's choice of Lander, stating that a white male advisor perpetuates the status quo.

During the January 16 press conference, Lander underscored the importance of inclusion in science, asserting that everyone should have a “place at the table” and in laboratories.

“America's greatest strength lies in its unparalleled diversity,” Lander stated. “Scientific advancement hinges on individuals perceiving things from unique perspectives shaped by diverse experiences and passions.”

To assist in leading the OSTP, Biden appointed Alondra Nelson, PhD, as deputy director for science and society. A prominent scholar, Nelson has explored the intersections of science, technology, social inequality, and racism, authoring the acclaimed book The Social Life of DNA: Race, Reparations, and Reconciliation After the Genome. She also heads the nonprofit Social Science Research Council and teaches at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.

During the press conference, Nelson stressed that the Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare significant resource disparities and healthcare inequities in the United States. She also addressed the biases inherent in science and their detrimental impact on marginalized communities.

“As new technologies emerge, from artificial intelligence to human genome editing, they expose and reflect the complex and sometimes perilous social dynamics underlying our scientific pursuits,” Nelson remarked, emphasizing our duty to ensure that scientific advancements represent everyone.

Nelson will likely concentrate on ensuring equitable distribution of the benefits stemming from scientific progress. Achieving this goal remains a considerable challenge, as Biden has indicated that promoting racial equity will be a cornerstone of his administration. Nonetheless, dismantling the deeply entrenched systemic racism and discrimination in American society will require more than just a four-year term. Despite the challenges ahead, adopting a science policy grounded in social justice represents a welcome shift from the previous administration. Future Human looks forward to observing how this approach unfolds over the next four years.