UK screening guidance on synthetic nucleic acids for users and providers
As published on GOV.UK on 8 October 2024. The GOV.UK publication page states 'Published: 8 October 2024'. The GOV.UK search API gives a public timestamp of 2024-10-07 for the same page; the page's own stated date is used.
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- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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- Published 2024-10-08 issue evidence
The GOV.UK publication page states 'Published: 8 October 2024'. The GOV.UK search API gives a public timestamp of 2024-10-07 for the same page; the page's own stated date is used.
- Exact source
- UK screening guidance on synthetic nucleic acids (publication page) GOV.UK (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) · publication date unknown · Retrieved for the candidate pack on 2026-10-28 (SHA-256 33eade2dba8cced0846d41fb896bc17d29ea60c547cde0af5e8ba1be7d33e1c2). The GOV.UK publication page as served on 2026-10-28, giving the publication date and the attachment. Retrieved again at admission on 2026-10-30 (SHA-256 ce10eb68c978e488468d846de7c9593a40becab7c9d76b52ca868047f5576d33). Its wording can change; earlier wording is not authenticated.
- UK screening guidance on synthetic nucleic acids for users and providers GOV.UK (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) · publication date unknown · Retrieved for the candidate pack on 2026-10-28 (SHA-256 d12116062f1c3dbb8a384593927c08cf40ee37289dc82cf6011540b63bcb7dd8). The HTML attachment as served on 2026-10-28. Its screening methodology sections and its list of indicators of a suspicious transaction were read but are not cited. Retrieved again at admission on 2026-10-30 (SHA-256 52c2f4a8bfc22b7819ee11216d08966df73f980a87b187b9c4b7bd868a544262).
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uk-synthetic-nucleic-acids-screening-guidance: 1 recorded version, oldest first, published by Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. A version is shown as replacing another only where a record says so. Date order alone never implies it.
- 2024-10-08 · publishedAs published on GOV.UK on 8 October 2024 (this version)
This version
Provisions in this version · 6 quoted
A limited selection of quoted provisions: what this edition says about thresholds, required actions, who decides and exceptions, and other statements of the text. It is not a full summary and says nothing about implementation. A “not found” record states which part of the edition was inspected. It is not a claim that the text was deleted.
- Threshold or triggerAddressees: all entities involved in the provision and use of synthetic nucleic acids operating in the UK“This gene synthesis guidance is intended to assist all entities involved in the provision and use of synthetic nucleic acids operating in the UK.”Guidance recommendations, third paragraphInspect claim & evidence ↗
- Required actionCustomer screening: identity verification, retention of screening information and re-verification at least every 18 months“Providers should retain customer screening information and refer to it for repeat orders. At least every 18 months the provider should ask the customer to update their information.”Customer screening, providers and third-party vendorsInspect claim & evidence ↗
- Required actionStanding: the guidance sets out expected standards of responsible practice“This gene synthesis guidance sets out expected standards of responsible practice to address the current level of biosecurity risk associated with access to synthetic nucleic acid.”Guidance recommendations, opening paragraphsInspect claim & evidence ↗
- Required actionWhere an order engages statutory controls, the provider must ask the user for proof of notification or licence“the provider must ask the user to provide proof that they have notified the Home Office through Part 7 of the ATCSA”Sequence screening, providersInspect claim & evidence ↗
- Required actionProviders aligned to the guidance should note this on their website“Providers who undertake screening measures aligned to the gene synthesis guidance should note this on their website.”Sequence screening, providers, final bulletInspect claim & evidence ↗
- Risk domainStated reason for the guidance, naming converging technologies such as AI“Increased access to synthetic nucleic acids, coupled with developments in converging tools and technologies – such as AI – and an increase in knowledge and expertise, may exacerbate the risks of engineering biology.”Background sectionInspect claim & evidence ↗
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