Specifically, synthetic nucleic acids the same length as viruses (100 base pairs or longer - to be sure not to reach the currently smallest known virus at 200 base pairs) that are not replicas or complements of naturally occurring nucleic acids have the potential to be transcribed and translated into novel viruses or other replicating biological structures that devastate life on Earth.

We, the undersigned, support the creation of these molecules if the purpose is to alleviate suffering.

Research that has led to improved treatments for diseases that cause significant suffering rely on the creation of these synthetic nucleic acids.

These molecules also hold promise to alleviate other forms of suffering, like starvation and environmental damage.

However, we acknowledge the risks to all life are tremendous, and could be apocalyptic. Antibiotic resistance, human pandemics, or disruption of the ecosystem that supports human life are possible outcomes of creating synthetic nucleic acids.

We think these outcomes are plausible and significant enough that we might not be able to recover from them once they happen.

We support a ban on distributing these molecules to high school classrooms, personal residences, and any other setting that is not a regulated Biosafety Level 1, or higher, facility.