'Black Box’ Biotechnology

This briefing paper, from the African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), together with Third World Network (TWN) and ETC Group, is a timely warning about the risks, hype and inequities underpinning generative biology, ahead of the Convention on Biological Diversity's COP 16, which will be held in Cali, Colombia, 21 October-1 November 2024.

• You can also view a vlog by Jim Thomas, who researched and wrote the briefing, in which he gives an overview of the issues.

"Black Box Biotechnology" addresses ‘generative’ artificial intelligence (AI) tools, better known for text chatbots such as ChatGPT, which are now being applied to generate novel digital sequences for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and proteins. 

These models, developed by large digital technology firms and trained on vast quantities of digital DNA or protein sequences, find patterns and apply them to create novel digital sequences. This new industry, dubbed ‘generative biology’ by its advocates, is accompanied by promises that AI ‘Biodesign’ tools can deliver an array of technofixes for a more sustainable world. 

These promises echo the speculations made for previous cycles of GMOs and first-generation AI systems, with each falling short of initial commercial hype as new problems emerged. The briefing hopefully will assist Parties to the CBD and other stakeholders in separating fact from fiction. 

However, beyond the hype and whether or not reliable bioproducts ever emerge, very worryingly, the field of generative biology represents a bold grab on the world’s digital sequence information on genetic resources. Already, we are witnessing significant investment flowing to these developments and powerful digital players pumping the hype cycle to generate fascination, hope, and investment in generative biology. With legitimacy granted by Silicon Valley funders, AI firms will likely attempt to significantly change governance conditions for modern biotechnology – claiming the CBD’s core approach of defending precaution and equity is now outmoded in an age of AI. 

The briefing requests Parties to the CBD to redouble their ground-truthing effort of horizon scanning, technology assessment, and monitoring by establishing a sensible process to understand the implications of SynBio’s integration with AI. In so doing, CBD Parties must examine, and strengthen, the Convention’s oversight arrangements for biotechnology in the face of a rapidly changing technological landscape.

French and Spanish translations of the briefing will be published shortly.