Security theater, easy to bypass
Many argue the rules only bind federally funded labs, skip sequences under 50 bp, and won't stop anyone skilled enough to assemble oligos or build a synthesizer.
Bioweapons are uniquely dangerous
Others counter that engineered pathogens could spread uncontrollably and give small groups outsized power, so even imperfect hurdles are worth it.
Mostly formalizes existing practice
Practitioners note vendors like IDT and Twist already screen sequences and customers, so this isn't driven by new AI discoveries.