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Preventing the misuse of gene synthesis

Nature Biotechnology volume 27, pages 800–801 (2009)Cite this article

To the Editor:

As representatives of two companies—GENEART and DNA2.0—that together are responsible for a majority of the world's manufacture of synthetic genes, we feel compelled to respond to Nouri and Chyba's proposition for “proliferation-resistant biotechnology,” as published in the March issue1. Gene synthesis enables a new world of possibilities: in the development of biofuels to combat climate change, in drug development to combat both persistent and emerging diseases, in agriculture to engineer crops that are more nutritious and resilient, and in research to bring a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the cell and of life itself. Biosafety and biosecurity are of utmost importance to us; even a small breach in biosecurity could damage the reputation and stability of our companies and our mission to facilitate the research that will bring solutions to the critical problems of the twenty-first century. We have the greatest incentive to ensure that the genes we synthesize do no harm and that the practice of gene synthesis remains safe.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DNA2.0, Inc, Menlo Park, California, USA

    Jeremy Minshull

  2. GENEART, Regensburg, Germany

    Ralf Wagner

Authors
  1. Jeremy Minshull
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  2. Ralf Wagner
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Correspondence to Jeremy Minshull.

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Competing interests

DNA2.0 and GENEART manufacture and sell synthetic DNA.

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Minshull, J., Wagner, R. Preventing the misuse of gene synthesis. Nat Biotechnol 27, 800–801 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0909-800

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