Legal issues for the storage of DNA data

doi:10.12211/2096-8280.2024-033

Abstract

Abstract:

DNA data storage is a key for the development and application of synthetic biology. With the advent of high density storage technology for long period and more stable and secure data storage, the shortage of storage capacity caused by the explosive growth of data can be addressed. Thus, exploring the legal issues for the storage of DNA data is more important than ever for ethics with the emerging science and technology. At the human rights level, human dignity and privacy need to be protected, and the data gap between human beings available and unavailable to the data to be minimized, through the development of complete policy and legal systems for DNA data storage. At the security level, it is suggested to strengthen the security governance of DNA data storage technology by combining information security and biosafety issue. At the level of intellectual property, it is suggested to improve patent protection, and optimize the legal environment of intellectual property, so as to promote the technological innovation and application of DNA data storage technology.

Key words: DNA data storage technology, synthetic biology, information security, legal governance, governance over ethics in science and technology

摘要：

DNA数据存储技术是合成生物学的关键分支领域，以其存储密度高、存储时期长、稳定、安全等特点，有望成为当下数据爆炸式增长导致存储能力不足的解决方案。DNA数据存储技术的快速发展为现行法律体系带来冲击，探讨DNA数据存储技术的法律治理议题是强化新兴科技伦理治理的重要内容。在人权层面，探讨可能引发的对“人的尊严”的挑战和数据鸿沟问题，建议完善DNA数据存储基于科技伦理治理框架上的政策法律体系；在安全层面，探讨可能引发的信息安全和生物安全相关问题，建议结合信息安全和生物安全两个维度强化DNA数据存储技术的安全治理；在知识产权层面，探讨DNA合成和测序技术、DNA介质以及重组DNA的微生物中涉及的可专利性等问题，建议完善专利保护规则，优化知识产权法治环境，以促进DNA数据存储技术科技创新和产业创新。

关键词: DNA数据存储技术, 合成生物学, 信息安全, 法律治理, 科技伦理治理

CLC Number:

NO31

JIAO Hongtao, QI Meng, SHAO Bin, JIANG Jinsong. Legal issues for the storage of DNA data[J]. Synthetic Biology Journal, 2025, 6(1): 177-189.

焦洪涛, 齐蒙, 邵滨, 蒋劲松. DNA数据存储技术的法律治理议题[J]. 合成生物学, 2025, 6(1): 177-189.

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