Executive Order on Biological Research Safety
Strengthening biosecurity through comprehensive DNA synthesis screening in response to the May 2025 Executive Order
On May 5, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order on "Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research," flagging significant enhancements to nucleic acid synthesis screening. While the specific requirements of the revised Framework are still being developed, SecureDNA's advanced platform is well-positioned to help providers, manufacturers, and research institutions prepare for these anticipated changes.
What the Executive Order Requires
The Executive Order directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to revise the 2024 Framework for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening within 90 days, with several key mandates:
Enhanced Verification Requirements
Beyond Self-Attestation: The Order requires "verifiable" screening mechanisms with real enforcement accountability
Strong Enforcement: Violations may result in immediate funding revocation and up to 5-year ineligibility for federal life-science grants
Tamper-Proof Records: Screening must provide indisputable proof of compliance
Expanded Coverage
Federal Research: All federally-funded research must use providers adhering to the updated Framework
Private Sector: Within 180 days, a strategy will be developed to extend screening requirements to non-federally funded research
Comprehensive Scope: The expansion aims to achieve "comprehensive, scalable, and verifiable nucleic acid synthesis screening" across all settings
Regular Updates
Dynamic Framework: The revised Framework must be reviewed and updated at least every 4 years to address technological advances and emerging threats
How SecureDNA Can Support Compliance Preparation
While the specific requirements of the revised Framework are still being developed, SecureDNA's platform offers capabilities that align with the Executive Order's emphasis on comprehensive, scalable, and verifiable screening:
Cryptographic Verification
Tamper-Proof Security: Our cryptographic verification provides mathematically secure, unalterable proof of screening compliance
IP Protection: Advanced privacy-preserving technology protects sensitive customer sequences while ensuring verification
Comprehensive Documentation: Complete, secure documentation for regulatory compliance and liability protection
Advanced Screening Capabilities
Ultra-High Sensitivity: Screening down to 30 base pairs - already exceeding expected future requirements
Comprehensive Coverage: Detection of known hazards, emerging threats, and millions of predicted functional variants
Evasion Resistance: Protection against sophisticated circumvention attempts through our Random Adversarial Threshold (RAT) algorithm
Universal Accessibility
Free Platform: No cost barriers for providers, researchers, or institutions of any size
Rapid Implementation: Streamlined onboarding process supports quick compliance
Global Reach: Privacy-preserving architecture enables worldwide adoption
Enforcement Support
Automated Compliance: Real-time verification eliminates manual attestation requirements
Integrated Reporting: Built-in capabilities for flagging and reporting concerning orders
Record Retention: Comprehensive logging with secure storage for required retention periods
Get Started with SecureDNA
SecureDNA is ready to help your organization meet current and anticipated requirements:
Immediate Compliance: Deploy advanced screening that exceeds expected standards
Risk Mitigation: Protect against liability through verifiable compliance records
Future-Proof Technology: Stay ahead of evolving requirements with our continuously updated platform