UK Plans Legislation to Regulate AI-Driven Gene Synthesis Amid Biosecurity Concerns

The UK government is preparing to strengthen oversight of artificial intelligence applications in gene synthesis to address potential biosecurity risks. Concerned that a lack of effective global regulation could lower the barrier to developing biological weapons, the UK is considering introducing new legislation on biological weapons and potentially amending existing laws to establish a gene synthesis screening system. This system would require laboratories to verify the legitimacy of their customers and report any suspicious activity to relevant authorities. The UK government is also examining whether—and to what extent—it should intervene in collaborations between AI companies and academic institutions. Some academic institutions currently conduct genomic sequencing research and hold vast amounts of genomic data. Given the global nature of this threat, unilateral UK regulation would have limited effectiveness, necessitating coordinated implementation with other major gene synthesis hubs. A UK government spokesperson stated that gene synthesis technology holds significant value in healthcare, food, and clean energy, but national security remains the top priority. The UK is the second country globally to issue related guidance, requiring screening of individuals purchasing synthetic DNA and the DNA sequences they order. Although the UK’s regulatory approach to AI is more lenient than the EU’s, it is at the forefront of technical safety research. In 2023, the UK established the AI Safety Institute specifically to evaluate the safety of cutting-edge AI models.