Senior executives from leading artificial intelligence and technology firms, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft AI and Google DeepMind, have joined biotechnology researchers in calling for stricter government oversight of synthetic DNA purchases in the United States. In a joint appeal to Congress, the group urged mandatory safety screening and tracking systems for DNA orders, warning that rapid advances in AI and biotechnology are lowering barriers to misuse.

Synthetic DNA is artificially produced genetic material that can be ordered from commercial suppliers and delivered to laboratories. It is widely used in vaccine development, medical research, drug discovery and industrial biotechnology. However, experts warn that the same technology could also be misused to design harmful pathogens.

The letter emphasised that online access to synthetic DNA has already transformed science by enabling faster research and lowering costs for smaller laboratories. At the same time, it warned that the ability to synthesise genetic sequences raises the theoretical risk that individuals with malicious intent could attempt to recreate dangerous biological agents.

While many DNA synthesis companies currently carry out voluntary customer screening, there is no uniform legal requirement to do so. The signatories are calling for mandatory checks, arguing that consistent screening is one of the most effective and least disruptive ways to reduce biosecurity risks. They also recommend introducing record-keeping systems that would allow suspicious activity to be traced, even when individual orders appear harmless on their own.

Experts involved in the initiative say the urgency is increasing due to advances in artificial intelligence. Modern AI systems are now capable of answering highly complex biological questions and, in some cases, performing at levels comparable to trained virologists. Researchers caution that this could gradually weaken traditional knowledge barriers that have helped limit access to sensitive biological capabilities.

The concerns extend beyond industry leaders. Earlier this year, scientists from institutions including Johns Hopkins University, the University of Oxford and Stanford University also warned that unrestricted access to certain biological datasets could increase the risk of misuse. They called for safeguards such as data watermarking, user verification systems and audit trails to monitor access to sensitive information.

In Europe, policymakers are also beginning to respond. The European Commission’s proposed EU Biotech Act, introduced in 2025, highlights rising biosecurity concerns linked to the wider availability of biotechnology tools. The draft framework identifies synthetic nucleic acid sequences as high-risk materials and suggests new rules including customer verification and reporting of suspicious orders.

Despite these developments, no comprehensive global standard currently exists for regulating synthetic DNA procurement. Experts argue that fragmented national approaches may leave gaps in oversight, making coordinated international action increasingly important as both AI and biotechnology continue to advance.

Women taking popular weight-loss medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro may face a significantly lower risk of developing breast cancer, according to new research presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting.

The study, which analyzed data from more than 110,000 women between the ages of 45 and 80, found that users of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, commonly known as GLP-1 drugs, were about 30 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than women who did not take the medications.

Researchers said the reduction in risk remained consistent regardless of age, race, ethnicity, body mass index, breast density or diabetes status.

The findings add to growing scientific interest in the potential health benefits of GLP-1 medications beyond weight management and blood sugar control. These drugs, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, work by mimicking naturally occurring hormones that help regulate appetite, insulin production and glucose levels. Their effectiveness in promoting weight loss has led to widespread use in recent years.

Elizabeth McDonald, a professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and a breast radiologist involved in the research, said the medications are attracting attention in cancer research because they influence multiple biological pathways linked to cancer development.

Researchers noted that obesity is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer and that weight reduction has long been associated with lower cancer risk. However, they believe the benefits of GLP-1 medications may extend beyond weight loss alone.

Evidence suggests the drugs may help reduce systemic inflammation, a condition increasingly linked to cancer development. Chronic inflammation can create an environment that allows cancer cells to grow, survive and spread more easily. Since inflammation plays a significant role in breast cancer progression, scientists are exploring whether these medications could offer additional protective effects.

Despite the promising findings, researchers cautioned that the study was observational and does not prove that GLP-1 medications directly prevent breast cancer. They also noted that the research focused exclusively on women with overweight or obesity, meaning the results may not apply to women in other weight categories.

Another factor highlighted by the study is that people taking GLP-1 medications often have more frequent medical appointments, which can increase opportunities for cancer screening and diagnosis.

The researchers said the findings justify further investigation through randomized clinical trials. They proposed future studies examining whether GLP-1 drugs could simultaneously help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease and metabolic changes associated with menopause.

Additional research presented at the ASCO meeting pointed to similar benefits. An Italian study reported that women with advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who used GLP-1 medications survived nearly 19 months longer on average than patients who did not receive the drugs.

Scientists say the emerging evidence underscores the need for further research into the broader health impacts of GLP-1 therapies.