IBBIS talks nucleic acid screening at SynBioAfrica
On Wednesday 17 July 2024, Piers Millett delivered a keynote speech at SBA 3.0 International Synthetic Biology, AI, and Biosecurity Conference in Africa. The conference helped foster networking and information sharing between stakeholders from industry, academia, and community to support synthetic biology research, bioinformatics and data science, capacity development, and one-health. By bringing together relevant biosecurity stakeholders within the synthetic biology community and experts from industry, academia, community, and policy makers in Africa, this important event helps to safeguard practical solutions to challenges cutting across human and livestock health, agriculture, industry, environmental management, and restoration.
In his remarks, the IBBIS director explored the close connection between progress in synthetic biology and biological engineering with advances in nucleic acid synthesis. He highlighted concerns on how these powerful tools could be misused by those with a malicious intent to cause accidental or deliberate harm. Piers considered how screening what genetic material is being made, and for whom, can help ensure access for those with a need for synthetic DNA, while helping to prevent access for those who want to misuse it. He explained how these screening measures become even more valuable in the context of new international standards and US-based funding requirements. Piers then illustrated how our Common Mechanism can help those making and using synthetic nucleic acids identify relevant hazards and manage associated risks. He concluded by discussing the technical challenges confront nucleic acid synthesis screening and a call to action to overcome them.
In his remarks, the IBBIS director explored the close connection between progress in synthetic biology and biological engineering with advances in nucleic acid synthesis. He highlighted concerns on how these powerful tools could be misused by those with a malicious intent to cause accidental or deliberate harm. Piers considered how screening what genetic material is being made, and for whom, can help ensure access for those with a need for synthetic DNA, while helping to prevent access for those who want to misuse it. He explained how these screening measures become even more valuable in the context of new international standards and US-based funding requirements. Piers then illustrated how our Common Mechanism can help those making and using synthetic nucleic acids identify relevant hazards and manage associated risks. He concluded by discussing the technical challenges confront nucleic acid synthesis screening and a call to action to overcome them.