Developing an International Common Mechanism for DNA Synthesis Screening

Advances in biotechnology such as cheaper DNA synthesis and widespread access to gene-editing tools have given a wider segment of the population the ability to manipulate biological agents and systems. Synthetic biology makes it possible to synthesize genomes and generate viable copies of naturally occurring organisms in the laboratory or modify easily accessible organisms to enhance their pathogenicity. A vital tool for performing this work is DNA synthesis. With the market poised to transition from chemical to enzymatic DNA synthesis with higher throughput and an increasing focus on research regarding the genomics of pandemic threats, now is the time to secure international agreement on the use of DNA screening methods capable of detecting historical and emerging threats.

Currently, no governments require screening of DNA orders, and developing, implementing, and maintaining screening procedures is becoming increasingly expensive relative to other business costs, creating an economic disincentive for companies to do this. DNA synthesis providers have expressed a desire for shared assurance of reliable screening across the industry. Satisfying this demand requires an international, cost-effective, and sustainable common mechanism to prevent illicit DNA synthesis.

This talk will outline a mechanism developed in consultation with a technical consortium comprising major representatives from the regulatory, industry, and community biology sectors for screening synthetic DNA orders. The mechanism allows companies to quickly ascertain relevant information for proceeding with the order or flagging it for further attention. We welcome feedback on the proposed mechanism and encourage participation from the community in its continued development.