[Interview] OECD to Include Biosecurity and Data Access in Recommendations

David Wijnkoop, Head of the Responsible Innovation Unit at the OECD: "Accessibility and Sharing Are Critical Issues"
Draft of 'Recommendations for Responsible Innovation in Synthetic Biology' Prepared in Korea

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is set to announce recommendations for responsible innovation in synthetic biology in April next year. These recommendations will focus on key issues such as biosecurity and challenges related to data access arising from the convergence of synthetic biology and artificial intelligence (AI).

David Wijnkoop, Head of the Responsible Innovation Unit at the OECD, who attended the joint academic conference of the Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering and the Asian Federation of Biotechnology held in Incheon on September 25, stated, "One of the main tasks in the OECD Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) running through 2026 is to develop recommendations on synthetic biology." The OECD will hold an expert group meeting in Korea on September 26 to discuss the draft recommendations.

David Wijnkoop, Head of the Responsible Innovation Unit at the OECD, is being interviewed by Asia Economy. Photo by Kim Joungho

Synthetic biology is a foundational technology that enables the design and creation of DNA and cells, driving innovation in diverse fields such as pharmaceuticals, food, and energy. However, it also brings new challenges related to safety, biosecurity, and ethics, making international norms and cooperation essential.

Wijnkoop explained, "Alongside biosecurity principles that prohibit the weaponization of biological materials, issues surrounding cross-border accessibility and sharing of data generated by the integration of synthetic biology and AI are being treated as critical topics."

He added that the recommendations would also address cross-border technology exchange for 'bio foundries'-platforms that automate synthetic biological design and production-as well as biosecurity and the pursuit of public goals such as eradicating hunger and disease.

The OECD plans to consolidate ongoing discussions from various countries and institutions, encouraging member states to share directions for technological advancement and responsible utilization. Wijnkoop emphasized, "We hope that many countries will exchange experiences, share capabilities, and pool their talents."

He also highly praised Korea's role. "Korea has recently established a predictable regulatory environment by enacting the Synthetic Biology Promotion Act. We anticipate close cooperation with the OECD," he said. He further noted, "We will begin in earnest the process of establishing frameworks to address emerging technologies," highlighting that Korea can make significant contributions to the development of global guidelines for synthetic biology.

Regarding differences in regulatory environments between countries, he stated, "The OECD's role is to clearly define risk factors and to regulate only the necessary aspects in accordance with the characteristics of new technologies."

Currently, Wijnkoop serves as Secretary of the OECD Working Party on Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, and Converging Technologies (BNCT) and as Co-Leader of the Global Technology Forum. He is also a professor at Sciences Po Law School in Paris, France, where he teaches law and bioethics. As a researcher, he has published numerous papers on biotechnology and gene technology systems in leading academic journals such as Science.