This bill amends federal research law to establish government programs supporting the screening and safe use of synthetic nucleic acids—the building blocks of DNA and RNA used in biotechnology and manufacturing. The National Institute of Standards and Technology would lead research to develop best practices, technical standards, and safety guidelines for nucleic acid synthesis screening, including how to manage databases of concerning sequences and implement security controls. The bill requires the agency to convene a consortium of industry, universities, nonprofits, and customers to develop screening standards and provide recommendations, with findings reported to Congress within 18 months. The legislation also expands the types of biosecurity standards covered to include risks from artificial intelligence in biotechnology. The bill authorizes five million dollars annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to fund this research and standards development work.
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