The importance of cyberbiosecurity law and policy for the protection of DNA and forensic evidence
Based on:
Chapter in an Edited Book (2022)
Forensic science is the application of science to criminal and civil laws, whereby investigations are guided by legal criteria of acceptable evidence. Since DNA profiles is part of forensic identification such as genetic fingerprints, forensic scientists may use them to identify criminals or determine parentage. Apart from forensic purposes, modern biotechnological approaches manipulate genetic material and cell fusion beyond conventional breeding barriers. Scientists were able to insert foreign DNA into another host and even track the transfer of foreign DNA into the following generation using this technological development. These DNA data are then stored in the computer, online or cloud platform. Unfortunately, the use of DNA technology and genetic modification could pose some potential threats to the lab data, both physically and electronically or remote hacking, unfortunately through dual purposes of research and development. This is one of the cyberbiosecurity challenges that could compromise the legitimacy and reliability of forensic evidence presented in court later. Since cyberbiosecurity is a relatively new discipline, this study utilises doctrinal legal research to develop a conceptual model. Alternatively, apart from forensic or evidential purposes, any unauthorised DNA alteration of humans, animals, or plants could have a wider devastative impact on human life and the environment. While forensic science is one of the most essential developments in supplementing or providing evidence in criminal and civil litigation cases, knowing potential cyberbiosecurity concerns, such as manipulation of DNA storage of information is critical. To protect DNA or related biobank data, cyberbiosecurity regulations and policies are required. By having a clearer policy, standard operating procedures, risk assessment and management, rules and regulations, and other safeguards in place, these key areas will be protected. A strong cyberbiosecurity law and policy could protect biobank data, also cyberbiosecurity aspects, submitted to forensic scientists in court, as they would be unable to be questioned about its legitimacy, trustworthiness, or validity. Thus, lab and forensic scientists, as well as regulators, legal practitioners, and enforcers, must have an adequate understanding and awareness of these interwoven legal and ethical problems of cyber, ethics, bioethics, biosecurity, and forensic evidence, ultimately known as cyberbiosecurity laws.
Brief by:
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Research collaborators:
Cyberbiosecurity is a term that amalgamates three principal domains: cybersecurity, biosecurity, and cyber-physical security. Cybersecurity safeguards computer systems against breaches, losses, and damage to hardware, software, or data, as well as interruptions to the applications and services they deliver. Biosecurity refers to the safeguarding of critical biological materials from loss or damage. Cyber-physical security tackles the security issues posed by technologies like Internet of Things sensors and industrial and operational control systems that engage with and influence the physical environment and human existence in real-time. It is recommended that all hazards and threats related to biological materials be incorporated into the standard cybersecurity action plan to safeguard human life and the environment.
Key findings
This paper acknowledges cybertechnologies' many vulnerabilities. System vulnerabilities can occur in bioprocess development, supply chain, cyber-physical, and infrastructure. Besides forensic science flaws and unreliability, industrial espionage and data intrusions are growing more widespread in proprietary materials and informatics, and typical security measures are becoming ineffectual. This paper emphasises serious biosecurity and cybersecurity security risks and dangers, notably to forensics:1-DNA structural information has numerous biological and medicinal uses, including disease screening, plant and animal breeding, and forensics. But radical new ideas like DNA-based data storage have broadened the application of DNA-related technology. The MinION sequencer (Oxford Nanopore Technologies, n.d.) and its related technologies have also made DNA-analysis more accessible and will become critical hardware for many industrial applications.2- The looming menace of biohacking cannot be denied. A DNA study (Islam et al., 2019) shown that E. coli bacteria can carry dangerous coding in their DNA plasmid. In the second stage, Islam et al. (2019) showed that adding malicious code into a DNA sequence diminishes an organism's genetic similarity to other members of the same species.3- Physical and cyber-DNA hacking threats: could happen by sequencing attacks from malicious DNA production to target delivery and sequencing. Spraying malevolent DNA on a lab coat, glove, or bench delivers it.
Evidence
A further cyberbiosecurity compromise from biological and biomedical systems could threaten the bioeconomy as well as evidence admissibility and biodiversity. At $4 trillion, the bioeconomy accounts for 25% of US GDP. Malaysia, the 12th mega biodiversity country in the world, is the second country in Asia and the first in South East Asia to launch a bioeconomy (Hithaishi, 2021). Bioeconomy components include pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, public health resilience, environmental cleaning, and agricultural responsiveness. The bioeconomy requires a systematic approach to improving communications, instruction, prioritising analysis, research, development, testing, and implementation of scientific, technology, standards of practice, policy, or regulatory or legal factors for bioeconomy protection.
What it means
This article highlights the importance and vulnerability of the bioeconomy, a sector that uses biological resources—like living organisms, ecosystems, and biotechnology—to generate economic value. With contributions to public health, agriculture, clean energy, and environmental sustainability, the bioeconomy is not just a financial powerhouse (accounting for 25% of U.S. GDP, or $4 trillion), but also a strategic national asset. Countries like Malaysia are also recognizing its potential, positioning themselves as regional leaders in biodiversity-driven economic development.
Proposed action
Despite the abundance of action plans, solutions, strategies, and regulatory frameworks—whether addressing integrated cyberbiosecurity or a singular disciplinary approach to biosecurity or cyberbiosecurity—the initial step in addressing the issue is to identify the primary threats or ancillary objectives within this domain.
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The importance of cyberbiosecurity law and policy for the protection of DNA and forensic evidence
Cite this brief: Osman, Noor Dzuhaidah. 'The importance of cyberbiosecurity law and policy for the protection of DNA and forensic evidence'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/the-importance-of-cyberbiosecurity-law-and-policy-for-the-protection-of-dna-and-forensic-evidence/
Brief created by: Dr Noor Dzuhaidah Osman | Year brief made: 2025
Original research:
- Osman, N. D., Abdul Shukor, S., & et al., The importance of cyberbiosecurity law and policy for the protection of DNA and forensic evidence In Law and forensic science, (pp. 280–300), ROME,ITALY: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366674065_The_importance_of_cyberbiosecurity_law_and_policy_for_the_protection_of_DNA_and_forensic_evidence. – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366674065_The_importance_of_cyberbiosecurity_law_and_policy_for_the_protection_of_DNA_and_forensic_evidence
Research brief:
Forensic science is the application of science to criminal and civil laws, whereby investigations are guided by legal criteria of acceptable evidence. Since DNA profiles is part of forensic identification such as genetic fingerprints, forensic scientists may use them to identify criminals or determine parentage. Apart from forensic purposes, modern biotechnological approaches manipulate genetic material…
Cyberbiosecurity is a term that amalgamates three principal domains: cybersecurity, biosecurity, and cyber-physical security. Cybersecurity safeguards computer systems against breaches, losses, and damage to hardware, software, or data, as well as interruptions to the applications and services they deliver. Biosecurity refers to the safeguarding of critical biological materials from loss or damage. Cyber-physical security tackles the security issues posed by technologies like Internet of Things sensors and industrial and operational control systems that engage with and influence the physical environment and human existence in real-time. It is recommended that all hazards and threats related to biological materials be incorporated into the standard cybersecurity action plan to safeguard human life and the environment.
Findings:
This paper acknowledges cybertechnologies’ many vulnerabilities. System vulnerabilities can occur in bioprocess development, supply chain, cyber-physical, and infrastructure. Besides forensic science flaws and unreliability, industrial espionage and data intrusions are growing more widespread in proprietary materials and informatics, and typical security measures are becoming ineffectual. This paper emphasises serious biosecurity and cybersecurity security risks and dangers, notably to forensics:
1-DNA structural information has numerous biological and medicinal uses, including disease screening, plant and animal breeding, and forensics. But radical new ideas like DNA-based data storage have broadened the application of DNA-related technology. The MinION sequencer (Oxford Nanopore Technologies, n.d.) and its related technologies have also made DNA-analysis more accessible and will become critical hardware for many industrial applications.
2- The looming menace of biohacking cannot be denied. A DNA study (Islam et al., 2019) shown that E. coli bacteria can carry dangerous coding in their DNA plasmid. In the second stage, Islam et al. (2019) showed that adding malicious code into a DNA sequence diminishes an organism’s genetic similarity to other members of the same species.
3- Physical and cyber-DNA hacking threats: could happen by sequencing attacks from malicious DNA production to target delivery and sequencing. Spraying malevolent DNA on a lab coat, glove, or bench delivers it.
A further cyberbiosecurity compromise from biological and biomedical systems could threaten the bioeconomy as well as evidence admissibility and biodiversity. At $4 trillion, the bioeconomy accounts for 25% of US GDP. Malaysia, the 12th mega biodiversity country in the world, is the second country in Asia and the first in South East Asia to launch a bioeconomy (Hithaishi, 2021). Bioeconomy components include pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, public health resilience, environmental cleaning, and agricultural responsiveness. The bioeconomy requires a systematic approach to improving communications, instruction, prioritising analysis, research, development, testing, and implementation of scientific, technology, standards of practice, policy, or regulatory or legal factors for bioeconomy protection.
This article highlights the importance and vulnerability of the bioeconomy, a sector that uses biological resources—like living organisms, ecosystems, and biotechnology—to generate economic value. With contributions to public health, agriculture, clean energy, and environmental sustainability, the bioeconomy is not just a financial powerhouse (accounting for 25% of U.S. GDP, or $4 trillion), but also a strategic national asset. Countries like Malaysia are also recognizing its potential, positioning themselves as regional leaders in biodiversity-driven economic development.
Advice:
Despite the abundance of action plans, solutions, strategies, and regulatory frameworks—whether addressing integrated cyberbiosecurity or a singular disciplinary approach to biosecurity or cyberbiosecurity—the initial step in addressing the issue is to identify the primary threats or ancillary objectives within this domain.
- Apart from the stakeholders, the multiple industries involved—food and agriculture, bio pharmacy, and research & development labs—add complexity. To attain cyberbiosecurity,goals, objectives, risk assessment, and mitigation methods should be tailored to industries and important actors (Duncan, S. E.; Reinhard, R.; Williams, R. C.; Ramsey, F.; Thomason, W.; Lee, K.; Murch, 2019). If forensic evidence is needed in court, these earlier intervention measures would be followed by a strict approach to evidence collection, which would improve accuracy, admissibility, and accountability.