To deter bioterrorism, U.S. imposes new rules on ordering synthetic DNA

The device used to make oligonucleotides is pretty much an inkjet printer, from there it's cleverly applied enzymes to assemble the full strand. If you've got the skills and determination to get the synthetic DNA into a functioning cell, I don't think limiting access to synthetic DNA in the first place is going to stop you.

> U.S. government–funded scientists who make and manipulate DNA sequences will face tougher regulations

Seems like this has little to do with deterring terrorism then, considering the assumption that a terrorist may not be a US government funded scientist.

> It’s great, because it does something instead of nothing

I am detecting a bit of frustration here.