This bill requires the U.S. government to obtain licenses before allowing companies to export synthetic DNA and RNA sequences—digital biological materials designed by humans or artificial intelligence—to foreign countries and entities of concern, particularly China. The legislation responds to congressional concerns that China is systematically acquiring U.S. biological intellectual property and sensitive biotechnology information to advance its military and security capabilities, citing Chinese laws that require citizens and companies to cooperate with national security objectives. The Secretary of Commerce must establish licensing requirements within one year of the bill's enactment, though some limited information may be exempt based on existing export regulations. The bill affects biotechnology companies, research institutions, and synthetic biology firms that work with genetic sequences, potentially requiring them to obtain government approval before sharing this technology with foreign partners.
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