Synthetic DNA and Bioterrorism: The New Global Security Risk
Scientists warn about the rise of synthetic DNA as a tool for bioterrorism, as the synthesis of genes and complete genomes becomes more accessible and cheaper for malicious actors. The combination of generative AI to de
Scientists warn about the rise of synthetic DNA as a tool for bioterrorism, as the synthesis of genes and complete genomes becomes more accessible and cheaper for malicious actors.
The combination of generative AI to design pathogenic sequences and low-cost DNA printers reduces the technical barriers to creating modified viruses or bacteria in clandestine labs.
Biosafety experts are calling for urgent regulation of suppliers of genetic synthesis and monitoring of suspicious DNA orders, although the scientific community defends the legitimate benefits of synthetic biology.
The debate intensifies after the detection of attempts to acquire restricted genetic material through darknet markets, evidencing a new global security threat.
Sources: MIT Technology Review, Nature Biotechnology, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Originally published in Digitalia.
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