What is the issue?
The DNA draft Bill which seeks to streamline genetic profiling activities, has potential once approved.
What is DNA draft bill?
- The Law Commission of India submitted a draft of the DNA Based Technology (Use and Regulation) Bill, 2017 to the government in July.
- The DNA Bill seeks to regulate human DNA profiling and establish standard procedures for DNA testing.
- The draft Bill has substantially modified the earlier Bill and suggested various measures to fortify the use of uncontaminated DNA samples for investigation purposes and for identifying missing persons.
- Given that there are no appropriate legal mechanisms with regard to identifying missing persons, victims of disasters, etc.
- It proposed a Plan for Constituting a statutory body called the DNA profiling board and a DNA data bank.
What is DNA profiling board?
- The profiling board will undertake functions such as laying down procedures and standards to establish DNA laboratories and granting accreditation to such laboratories.
- It will advise the concerned Ministries/ departments of the Central and State governments on issues relating to DNA laboratories.
- It will also be responsible for supervising, monitoring, inspecting and assessing the laboratories.
- The Board will frame guidelines for training the police and other investigating agencies dealing with DNA-related matters.
- Its functions also include giving advice on all ethical and human rights issues relating to DNA testing in consonance with international guidelines.
- It will recommend research and development activities in DNA testing and related issues.
- DNA profiling will be undertaken exclusively to identify a person and will not be used to extract any other information.
What are the features of DNA data bank?
- DNA data banks both nationally and on a regional basis in the States will be setup.
- The data bank will primarily store DNA profiles received from the accredited laboratories and maintain certain indices for various categories of data such as
- Crime scene index.
- Suspect’s index.
- Offender’s index.
- Missing persons’ index
- Unknown deceased persons index - with a view to assisting families of missing persons on the basis of their bodily samples and substances.
- Strict confidentiality will be maintained with regard to keeping records of DNA profiles and their use.
- The DNA profiles shall be shared with and by foreign governments or government organisations or agencies only for the purposes enumerated in the Act.
- Violators of the provisions will be liable for punishment of imprisonment which may extend up to three years and also a fine which may extend up to Rs. 2 lakh.
Source: The Hindu