WHEREAS, The life sciences are the study of living organisms and cover a broad array of disciplines, including molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, developmental biology, evolutionary biology, and environmental science; and
WHEREAS, The life sciences have made numerous groundbreaking discoveries that have advanced our understanding of human health, agriculture, and the environment; and
WHEREAS, Life sciences research led to the discovery of the structure of DNA, completing the Human Genome Project, developing lifesaving vaccines and medicine, learning how to treat genetic disorders with gene therapy, and creating essential medical technology; and
WHEREAS, Pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have contributed billions of dollars to the economy and advanced health care by developing innovative tools, treatments, and preventative measures that have revolutionized public health; and
WHEREAS, California is the birthplace of modern biotechnology, establishing its roots in the San Francisco Bay area in the early 1970s; and
WHEREAS, The life sciences are especially vibrant in the San Francisco Bay area, the City of Los Angeles, the County of Orange, and the City of San Diego; and
WHEREAS, California’s world-class universities fuel the workforce pipeline for the life sciences industry; and
WHEREAS, The University of California system enrolled 43,777 undergraduate students and 6,264 graduate students in a life sciences field in 2023; and
WHEREAS, California’s independent colleges and universities enrolled 8,894 undergraduate students and 2,710 graduate students in life science-related programs in 2022; and
WHEREAS, When counting each University of California separately, California is home to 12 different R1 research universities with “very high research activity,” which is more than any other state; and
WHEREAS, Over $5 billion in National Institutes of Health funding has been provided to California universities, furthering California’s leadership in the life sciences; and
WHEREAS, California is home to over one-third of all nationwide research and development, more than any other state; and
WHEREAS, California’s research universities and other research institutions keep our state at the cutting edge of life sciences innovation both nationwide and globally; and
WHEREAS, California’s life sciences sector played a significant role in advancing public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, More than one-quarter of all COVID-19 vaccine development was sponsored, or primarily supported, by organizations in California; and
WHEREAS, California’s dominance in the life sciences continues to shine with over 1,380 therapies in the development pipeline to help patients around the world; and
WHEREAS, California life science companies also develop tools to improve agriculture and change the way we eat by promoting sustainable processes, developing clean energy, creating biodegradable materials, mitigating climate change, and so much more; and
WHEREAS, California’s second largest industry is the thriving life sciences sector; and
WHEREAS, The life sciences directly employed over 441,000 Californians, paying over $57 billion in total wages in 2023; and
WHEREAS, California’s life science sector generated $472 billion in economic activity in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Over 90 percent of California life science companies are small businesses with fewer than 20 employees; and
WHEREAS, Sixty-eight percent of California life science companies are even smaller, with only one to four employees; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate proclaims the month of August 2024 as California Life Sciences Month in appreciation for the vast contributions the life sciences have made to public health, the economy, and innovation in environmental sustainability in California, the nation, and the world; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.