Executive Summary:

Gene synthesis screening is an effective tool to prevent dangerous pathogens from moving from digital design to physical reality. Mandatory screening will likely provide substantial benefits at modest cost. A UK-focused analysis found screening delivers approximately £3.50 in security benefits for every £1 spent, and we would expect broadly similar findings in the US. The availability of free, open-source screening tools alongside commercial options has significantly reduced compliance costs. Beyond security benefits, mandatory screening would level the playing field for providers, ensure clear and uniform standards, and create a demand signal for screening technology innovation. Mandatory screening would not create a significant new requirement for companies that service recipients of federal research dollars, who already must screen their orders to comply with President Trump’s May 2025 Executive Order. Lastly, concerns that mandating screening could create regulatory capture issues are largely unpersuasive, owing to the competitive and fragmented state of the gene synthesis market, availability of low-cost screening tools, and the opportunity to tailor compliance standards to a variety of business models.

Read the full report: