The CEOs of some of the biggest artificial intelligence (AI) companies, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft AI and Google DeepMind have teamed up with biotechnology experts to urge the United States to pass laws requiring safety screenings of synthetic DNA purchases.
Synthetic DNA refers to artificially manufactured genetic material, which can be custom-made by companies and ordered online, and delivered like any other laboratory supply.
The letter is directed at the US Congress, but the issue has global implications as the material can be ordered and shipped worldwide.
“The ability to order synthetic DNA online has accelerated vaccine development, powered basic research, and made it possible for small teams to access capabilities that used to be confined to major institutions,” the signatories wrote.
But it also creates a risk, as, in theory, a bad actor could order DNA sequences designed to recreate dangerous pathogens.
