AI-generated DNA evades commercial biosecurity screens
A new Science paper (reported Oct. 2, 2025) shows AI protein‑design tools can 'paraphrase' DNA for hazardous proteins so that commercial DNA‑synthesis screening systems do not consistently flag them. The researchers generated more than 75,000 variant sequences that preserved structural features of toxic proteins, companies rolled out a screening patch that still missed a small fraction, and the authors restricted data access—using the nonprofit IBIS—to reduce dissemination while the vulnerability is addressed.
Science
AI & Tech
🔍 Key Facts
- Researchers used AI protein-design tools to create >75,000 DNA variants of hazardous proteins that sometimes bypassed commercial DNA‑synthesis screening.
- Named entities and actions: Microsoft chief scientific officer Eric Horvitz quoted; the study was published in Science and the authors enlisted the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBIS) to gate access to sensitive data.
- Operational outcome: DNA manufacturers' screening software received a quick patch, but researchers and companies acknowledge the fix does not detect a small remaining fraction of risky sequences.