Union Cabinet clears DNA profiling Bill

Union Cabinet clears DNA profiling Bill

News:

1.  The Union Cabinet’s  green signal to DNA profiling Bill.

Important facts:

2. DNA profiling Bill and its key features:

3. Originally proposed in 2007, the drafting of the Bill began in 2012 by the Department of biotechnology of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

4. The Proposed Bill will establish DNA profiling board.

• The proposed board will have experts from fields like molecular biology, human genetics, population biology, bioethics, social science and many more.
• This board will define standards and controls for DNA profiling. Labs will be certified by the government to access the data provided by law agencies.
• The National DNA data bank will collect data from offenders, suspects, missing persons, unidentified dead bodies and volunteers. DNA data in cases of homicides, sexual assault, adultery and other crimes will also be stored in the bank.

5. The Bill seeks to establish a national DNA data bank.

6. The Bill will help in forensic investigation.

7. Allows law enforcement agencies to collect DNA samples, create “DNA Profiles”, and special databanks for forensic criminal investigations.

8. However, the Bill is facing criticisms for violation of privacy and immune to data abuse.

9. The bill will be tabled in Parliament in the upcoming Monsoon Session.