LCSSP / Priority Initiatives / BioPolicy

BioPolicy

For more than a century, advances in the biological sciences have played a central role in driving societal progress. LCSSP builds on this legacy, advancing the field of BioPolicy by fostering deeper integration between cutting-edge biological research and the policy frameworks that shape its application and impact. This work is made possible by the generosity of Ron and Maxine Linde, and Eric and Wendy Schmidt.

Latest Updates

Image of grad student in lab coat, goggles, and gloves sitting at work bench in the Karthikeyan lab.

LCSSP recently announced the recipients of two science-for-policy seed grants, including the Karthikeyan lab's exploration of the effects of alternative fertilization practices on soil microbial biodiversity and ecosystem functioning on California working lands. Pictured here: Grace Solini, BBE Grad Student in the Karthikeyan Lab.

Credit: Caltech/Van Urfalian

Image of Drew Endy speaking at a podium while pointing to a photograph of a mural honoring vaccine science.

To commemorate the official launch of the LCSSP Biopolicy Initiative, synthetic biologist Drew Endy visited Caltech to share his perspective on biological engineering as a force for unprecedented progress toward societal flourishing. Dr. Endy notably leads The Hoover Institution at Stanford University's Bio-Strategy and Leadership efforts.

This fall, LCSSP convened a highly interdisciplinary group of individuals to consider what the responsible use and development of synthetic biology applications looks like in contexts of environmental release. Perspectives spanned biology, ecology, sociology, and law.

Advancing the Responsible Governance of Emergent Biotechnologies

Conferences

Biotech Beyond Conventional Containment: A Workshop on Policy and Governance

Oct 6-7, 2025

Pathways Towards the Safe and Effective Deployment of Engineered Microbial Technologies

Feb 27-28, 2024

Webinars

Spirit of Asilomar: Biotech Beyond Conventional Containment

Apr 8, 2025

Impact of Loper Bright on the Regulation of Biotechnology

Oct 16, 2024

Reports

Policy Recommendations for the Regulation of Engineered Microbes for Environmental Release

Jun 28, 2024

Supported by Expert Input

Image of Mary Maxon providing expert testimony in Washington DC.

Dr. Mary Maxon, Carnegie Sciences

Dr. Maxon is a molecular biologist with over two decades of experience driving science policy efforts at institutions like the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Image of Richard Murray providing expert testimony in Washington DC.

Dr. Richard Murray, Caltech

Dr. Murray has been a professor of bioengineering at Caltech for over 30 years. He is currently dedicating his full time to federal science policy, including serving as a Senior Policy Fellow for the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology.

Policy Considerations for Biological Research on Early Human Development

Conferences

Science and Policy at the Frontier of Embryo Research

Mar 19, 2026 (Coming soon!)

Topical Media

Stem Cell–Based Embryo Models Reveal Pathway to Understanding Fertility (Caltech, Sept 8, 2025)

Human Embryo Research: What Time Limit Should We Set? (NY Times, Mar 3, 2025)

Lab-grown embryo models: UK unveils first ever rules to guide research (Nature, July 3, 2024)

Affiliates

Dr. Magda Żernicka-Goetz

Bren Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering

Dr. Ninadini Sharma

Postdoc, Biology and Biological Engineering

Why BioPolicy?

Reflections from the Caltech Community

My experiences with the Linde center really unlocked this realization that policy is not something I can just leave to the other experts and say ‘I'm just going to stay in the lab and do my own thing.'

—

John Marken

Caltech PhD '23, BBE Postdoc '25

In this interview, LCSSP Research Policy Lead Sara Kassir talks to John Marken (PhD '23) about his eight years at Caltech.

Leadership Perspectives from the launch of LCSSP's BioPolicy Initiative

President Rosenbaum: "We can all rail against the existential challenges that we face, or ignore them. The Linde Center gives us a real center to apply our technical chops to make a difference and act together to make the world a better place."

Dr. Maxon: "Why is Biopolicy different from say, AI policy? Because biotechnologies have two very special features about them: they self-replicate and they change. The dynamism, mutation, and evolution of biological systems means that at, the level of policy considerations, there are special things that we need to take into account."

Dr. Endy: "I really hope that part of the Linde's centers work with BioPolicy, in addition to being at the way front of what needs to happen right now, is to struggle with this question: 'What are our dreams and aspirations in a world that is increasingly biotechnological?'"

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