Senior executives from leading artificial intelligence and technology firms, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft AI and Google DeepMind, have joined biotechnology researchers in calling for stricter government oversight of synthetic DNA purchases in the United States. In a joint appeal to Congress, the group urged mandatory safety screening and tracking systems for DNA orders, warning that rapid advances in AI and biotechnology are lowering barriers to misuse.
Synthetic DNA is artificially produced genetic material that can be ordered from commercial suppliers and delivered to laboratories. It is widely used in vaccine development, medical research, drug discovery and industrial biotechnology. However, experts warn that the same technology could also be misused to design harmful pathogens.
The letter emphasised that online access to synthetic DNA has already transformed science by enabling faster research and lowering costs for smaller laboratories. At the same time, it warned that the ability to synthesise genetic sequences raises the theoretical risk that individuals with malicious intent could attempt to recreate dangerous biological agents.
While many DNA synthesis companies currently carry out voluntary customer screening, there is no uniform legal requirement to do so. The signatories are calling for mandatory checks, arguing that consistent screening is one of the most effective and least disruptive ways to reduce biosecurity risks. They also recommend introducing record-keeping systems that would allow suspicious activity to be traced, even when individual orders appear harmless on their own.
Experts involved in the initiative say the urgency is increasing due to advances in artificial intelligence. Modern AI systems are now capable of answering highly complex biological questions and, in some cases, performing at levels comparable to trained virologists. Researchers caution that this could gradually weaken traditional knowledge barriers that have helped limit access to sensitive biological capabilities.
The concerns extend beyond industry leaders. Earlier this year, scientists from institutions including Johns Hopkins University, the University of Oxford and Stanford University also warned that unrestricted access to certain biological datasets could increase the risk of misuse. They called for safeguards such as data watermarking, user verification systems and audit trails to monitor access to sensitive information.
In Europe, policymakers are also beginning to respond. The European Commission’s proposed EU Biotech Act, introduced in 2025, highlights rising biosecurity concerns linked to the wider availability of biotechnology tools. The draft framework identifies synthetic nucleic acid sequences as high-risk materials and suggests new rules including customer verification and reporting of suspicious orders.
Despite these developments, no comprehensive global standard currently exists for regulating synthetic DNA procurement. Experts argue that fragmented national approaches may leave gaps in oversight, making coordinated international action increasingly important as both AI and biotechnology continue to advance.
