How DNA Traces Down Global Supply Chains

In San Joaquin Valley, California, cotton manufacturers spray billions of DNA molecules onto batches of freshly woven cotton. These DNA molecules travel everywhere, from Indian yarn factories to Costco shelves worldwide. American businesses check for the DNA's presence to ensure their cotton has not been replaced by cheaper Chinese yarn, banned for forced labor.

Amid growing concerns about abuses of global supply chains, the use of DNA tracking technology has significant consequences. By March 2023, U.S. companies identified a billion-dollar worth of shipments suspected of illegal trading. Legal officials advocate for customer rights by strengthening laws that explicitly outline the protocols for product withdrawal from China. All companies must prove their goods are free from forced labor in their creation process before displaying them on market shelves. If not, those goods may be seized at the border and detained from entry into the U.S..

Along the same line, customers have become increasingly interested in the authenticity and ethical production of high-end products, such as diamonds, organic cotton, sushi-grade tuna, or Manuka honey. This has led companies to need to explain where every piece of their product comes from, not just ensure that they are free from forced labor.

To the public, it may seem simple, but it's not as easy as it looks. Over the past decades in which they have developed their businesses and produced goods, international supply chains have become highly complex in attempts to reduce costs or diversify product offerings. Fewer sources come from local areas; thus, tracing every section of their supply chain will take time and effort. Especially for large enterprises operating upon multinational platforms, it is nearly impossible to identify source origins, as they are sponsored by thousands of suppliers worldwide. Each of these suppliers, in turn, relies on hundreds of other companies to maintain their business - and so forth, the supply chain becomes a bowl of spaghetti.

That is why DNA comes in handy. Some companies use scientific methods to tag their goods, using synthetic DNA tags. These tags do more than leave a mark on products; by sequencing the DNA or analyzing isotopes after traveling, experts can quickly determine rainfall, latitude, temperature, or soil conditions of the regions the products traveled in. Other companies use digital databases or artificial intelligence to create extensive maps of transportation or to detect unusual trade patterns.

Of course, criticism exists: skeptics argue adding these features to daily products will elevate manufacturing costs, a significant change for retailers under thin margins. Furthermore, concerns about digital safety still arise today, as hackers can easily break down internet-based systems, hiding the truth about specific products.

Transparency in global supply chains is crucial for both customers and companies, with researchers prioritizing finding adequate solutions to address this issue. As businesses continue to adopt new technologies, it is likely that DNA tracking and other forms of technology will play an increasingly important role in ensuring that products are produced ethically and sustainably.