Defining guidelines and policies on the use of biotechnology for the Armed Forces

(a) Guidelines and policies required Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, after coordinating with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and external stakeholders, including representation from industry and academia, develop guidelines and policies on the ethical and responsible development and deployment of biotechnology within the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces. (b) Elements The guidelines and policies developed pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) Definitions of ethical and responsible development and use of biotechnology. (2) Guidelines relating to ethical and responsible development and use of biotechnology. (3) Policies relating to informed consent of members of the Armed Forces participating in biotechnology development. (4) Policies relating to reversibility and heritable treatment of potential biotechnology applications. (5) Policies relating to biotechnologies and their potential effects on the environment. (6) Policies relating to human performance enhancement. (7) Policies relating to the compliance and obligations of the Department to the United Nations Biological Weapons Convention, and other international agreements pertaining to the laws of armed conflict. (8) Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Report (1) In general No later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report outlining the guidelines and policies developed pursuant to subsection (a), including the methodologies through which the guidelines and policies were developed. (2) Form The report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. (d) Biennial briefings (1) In general Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once every two years thereafter until November 1, 2031, the Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the implementation of the guidelines and policies developed pursuant to subsection (a), including a discussion of any adjustments made to the policies and such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary may have to ensure their successful implementation. (2) Final briefing The final briefing provided pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be provided during the 60-day period ending on November 1, 2031.

(a) Guidelines and policies required Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, after coordinating with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and external stakeholders, including representation from industry and academia, develop guidelines and policies on the ethical and responsible development and deployment of biotechnology within the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces. (b) Elements The guidelines and policies developed pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) Definitions of ethical and responsible development and use of biotechnology. (2) Guidelines relating to ethical and responsible development and use of biotechnology. (3) Policies relating to informed consent of members of the Armed Forces participating in biotechnology development. (4) Policies relating to reversibility and heritable treatment of potential biotechnology applications. (5) Policies relating to biotechnologies and their potential effects on the environment. (6) Policies relating to human performance enhancement. (7) Policies relating to the compliance and obligations of the Department to the United Nations Biological Weapons Convention, and other international agreements pertaining to the laws of armed conflict. (8) Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Report (1) In general No later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report outlining the guidelines and policies developed pursuant to subsection (a), including the methodologies through which the guidelines and policies were developed. (2) Form The report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. (d) Biennial briefings (1) In general Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once every two years thereafter until November 1, 2031, the Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the implementation of the guidelines and policies developed pursuant to subsection (a), including a discussion of any adjustments made to the policies and such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary may have to ensure their successful implementation. (2) Final briefing The final briefing provided pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be provided during the 60-day period ending on November 1, 2031.