{"entities":[{"id":"dsit","name":"Department for Science, Innovation and Technology","shortName":"DSIT"},{"id":"uk-synthetic-nucleic-acids-screening-guidance-2024","name":"UK screening guidance on synthetic nucleic acids for users and providers","subtype":"Guidance","description":"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.","sourceIds":["source-ab-uk-synna-landing","source-ab-uk-synna-text"]}],"claims":[{"id":"ab-scr-uk-guidance-addressees","statement":"The UK screening guidance states that it is intended to assist all entities involved in the provision and use of synthetic nucleic acids operating in the UK.","resolution":"supported","evidenceIds":["evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-addressees-1"],"attributes":{"provision":{"kind":"threshold","key":"uk-synthetic-nucleic-acids-guidance-addressees"}}},{"id":"ab-scr-uk-guidance-ai-in-background","statement":"The UK screening guidance states that 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.","resolution":"supported","evidenceIds":["evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-ai-in-background-1"],"attributes":{"provision":{"kind":"risk_domain","key":"uk-synthetic-nucleic-acids-guidance-ai-background"}}},{"id":"ab-scr-uk-guidance-customer-screening","statement":"The UK screening guidance states that providers and third-party vendors should know and document who they are distributing to, should verify the identity of the customer on receiving an order for synthetic nucleic acids, and should retain customer screening information and ask the customer to update it at least every 18 months.","resolution":"supported","evidenceIds":["evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-customer-screening-1","evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-customer-screening-2"],"attributes":{"provision":{"kind":"required_action","key":"uk-synthetic-nucleic-acids-guidance-customer-screening"}}},{"id":"ab-scr-uk-guidance-published","statement":"The UK screening guidance on synthetic nucleic acids for users and providers was published on GOV.UK on 8 October 2024, described there as guidance for users and providers involved in the provision, use and transfer of synthetic nucleic acids and of benchtop equipment that synthesises nucleic acids in the UK.","derivation":"explicit","resolution":"supported","editorialState":"seed","evidenceIds":["evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-published-1","evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-published-2"]},{"id":"ab-scr-uk-guidance-scope","statement":"The UK screening guidance states that it sets out expected standards of responsible practice to address the current level of biosecurity risk associated with access to synthetic nucleic acid.","resolution":"supported","evidenceIds":["evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-scope-1"],"attributes":{"provision":{"kind":"required_action","key":"uk-synthetic-nucleic-acids-guidance-expected-standards"}}},{"id":"ab-scr-uk-guidance-statutory-notification","statement":"The UK screening guidance states that where an order for synthetic nucleic acids contains a sequence in the guidance's category of concern that is listed in Schedule 5 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, the provider must ask the user to provide proof that they have notified the Home Office under Part 7 of that Act, and that where such a sequence derives from an animal pathogen in Groups 3 or 4 of Schedule 1 of the Specified Animal Pathogens Order the provider must ask for proof of a licence from the Health and Safety Executive.","resolution":"supported","evidenceIds":["evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-statutory-notification-1","evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-statutory-notification-2"],"attributes":{"provision":{"kind":"required_action","key":"uk-synthetic-nucleic-acids-guidance-statutory-notification"}}},{"id":"ab-scr-uk-guidance-website-statement","statement":"The UK screening guidance states that providers who undertake screening measures aligned to the guidance should note this on their website.","resolution":"supported","evidenceIds":["evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-website-statement-1"],"attributes":{"provision":{"kind":"required_action","key":"uk-synthetic-nucleic-acids-guidance-website-statement"}}}],"sources":[{"id":"source-ab-uk-synna-landing","title":"UK screening guidance on synthetic nucleic acids (publication page)","authors":["GOV.UK (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)"],"publisher":"GOV.UK (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)","publicationDate":null,"version":"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.","evidenceUrl":"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-screening-guidance-on-synthetic-nucleic-acids","language":"en"},{"id":"source-ab-uk-synna-text","title":"UK screening guidance on synthetic nucleic acids for users and providers","authors":["GOV.UK (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)"],"publisher":"GOV.UK (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)","publicationDate":null,"version":"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).","evidenceUrl":"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-screening-guidance-on-synthetic-nucleic-acids/uk-screening-guidance-on-synthetic-nucleic-acids-for-users-and-providers","language":"en"}],"evidence":[{"id":"evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-addressees-1","support":"supports","locator":"Guidance recommendations, third paragraph","passage":"This gene synthesis guidance is intended to assist all entities involved in the provision and use of synthetic nucleic acids operating in the UK.","passageType":"quote"},{"id":"evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-ai-in-background-1","support":"supports","locator":"Background section","passage":"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.","passageType":"quote"},{"id":"evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-customer-screening-1","support":"supports","locator":"Customer screening, providers and third-party vendors","passage":"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.","passageType":"quote"},{"id":"evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-published-1","sourceRole":"primary","support":"supports","verification":"machine_checked","retrievalRoute":"direct"},{"id":"evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-published-2","support":"supports","verification":"machine_checked","retrievalRoute":"direct"},{"id":"evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-scope-1","support":"supports","locator":"Guidance recommendations, opening paragraphs","passage":"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.","passageType":"quote"},{"id":"evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-statutory-notification-1","support":"supports","locator":"Sequence screening, providers","passage":"the provider must ask the user to provide proof that they have notified the Home Office through Part 7 of the ATCSA","passageType":"quote"},{"id":"evidence-ab-scr-uk-guidance-website-statement-1","support":"supports","locator":"Sequence screening, providers, final bullet","passage":"Providers who undertake screening measures aligned to the gene synthesis guidance should note this on their website.","passageType":"quote"}],"at":{"entities":[233,1210],"claims":[3308,3309,3310,3311,3312,3313,3314],"sources":[1052,1053],"evidence":[4539,4540,4541,4543,4544,4545,4546,4548]},"version":"1lg47t7"}