A GROUP of “designer DNA” companies is stepping up security to counter fears that terrorists could order the genes needed to make a deadly virus.
In 2005, New Scientist reported that some gene synthesis companies were not checking their orders for potentially dangerous DNA sequences. Since then, the US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity has called for better screening.
Now the Industry Association of Synthetic Biology (IASB) says that its members will carry a seal of approval on their websites confirming that they do screen their orders. This is to encourage researchers to order DNA only from these companies,…
