Reports
Published: 24 June 2024

Accelerating the tech-driven bioeconomy

The time is ripe for a global transition to a bio-based economy. Powered by the ever-evolving capacity to read, write, edit and increasingly functionalize deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the tech-enabled bioeconomy promises fundamental improvements in everyday life. Digital advances are also expanding the areas where biology can deliver impact, and generative biology is set to disrupt several industries. Yet, despite decades of investment and technological progress, as well as sanguine market projections, the global transition to a bio-based economy has yet to enter the commercial mainstream.

The time is ripe for a global transition to a bio-based economy. Powered by the ever-evolving capacity to read, write, edit and increasingly functionalize deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the tech-enabled bioeconomy promises fundamental improvements in everyday life. Digital advances are also expanding the areas where biology can deliver impact, and generative biology is set to disrupt several industries. Yet, despite decades of investment and technological progress, as well as sanguine market projections, the global transition to a bio-based economy has yet to enter the commercial mainstream.

This report delves into the question: how can these challenges be overcome to accelerate the transition to a commercial bioeconomy? With input from leaders from government, business, academia, research organizations, and civil society, it examines how a growing embrace of biological engineering as a key commercial technology is prioritizing the planet and its inhabitants.

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum reports may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

About us

Engage with us

  • Sign in
  • Partner with us
  • Become a member
  • Sign up for our press releases
  • Subscribe to our newsletters
  • Contact us

Quick links

Language editions

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Sitemap

© 2024 World Economic Forum