The new UK Government Biological Security Strategy, released by the UK Cabinet Office on June 12, 2023, explicitly recognized the important role played by IBBIS and the importance of DNA synthesis screening, such as through the use of the Common Mechanism.

Detailing its commitment to international leadership, the strategy indicated that the UK “will work closely with the private sector and non-government partners, including the Wellcome Trust, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), the International Federal of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS), who will be increasingly influential in promoting strong regulations, standards, and best practice”.

The strategy specifically acknowledged the challenge that “as science and technology advances, it also presents new, potentially extreme risks. More people now have the necessary skills to preform high risk research at low cost. Rapidly developing DNA synthesis capabilities used for advancing biomedical research, could be deliberately misused to build new pathogens with harmful impacts.” As a result, the UK, as part of its effort to be a world leader in responsible innovation, shaping international norms and standards, will explore “incentivizing DNA sequence and customer screening, as well as requirements for selling and operating benchtop DNA synthesis devices within the UK, alongside other forms of regulation or voluntary reporting.” The strategy further notes that “Screening tools have the potential to significantly reduce costs, and we will explore, with colleagues in the sector, ways in which these may be developed and adopted to reduce the cost for UK academics and businesses to innovate responsibly.”