JOIN USMore than 15 years after it was conceptualised, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the contentious DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018 that seeks to create a DNA databank of hardcore criminals.
The legislation would also help the administration in identifying missing persons and disaster victims faster.
In its formative years, the bill kicked up a controversy after a section of non-government organisations alleged that the bill violated the privacy of individuals – a charge denied by government officials and scientists who drafted the legislation.
The bill's provisions would enable cross-matching of DNA of persons reported missing with that of unidentified dead bodies found anywhere in the country. It would also help in establishing the identity of victims in mass disasters, says a press note issued by the Cabinet.
But the most important application of the legislation would be in the criminal justice system as it would allow the government to maintain a DNA database of criminals convicted of heinous crimes.
Over a period of time, the database is expected to lead to better justice delivery and improve conviction rate, which currently stands at 30%.
The bill also provides for mandatory accreditation and regulation of DNA laboratories, barring non-accredited laboratories testing DNA samples.
“The purpose of the bill is to establish rigorous standards to regulate the activities of laboratories undertaking DNA profiling, to enable identification of missing children and unidentified deceased individuals, including disaster victims; to apprehend repeat offenders for heinous crimes; and to prescribe penalties for the unauthorised use of DNA samples or information,” explained a scientist at the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, who was involved in drafting the legislation.
Doubts cleared
The bill's title was changed after the Law Commission reviewed the draft – named 'Human DNA Profiling: A draft bill for the use and regulation of DNA-based technology'. The Commission also suggested a few changes and ensured safeguards to overcome privacy concerns.
Scientists too brushed aside apprehensions. “It authorises the collection and database retention of just 17 pairs of a person's DNA that are sufficient to establish the identity of an individual by comparison with a second sample. The samples are taken from non-functional portion of the gene and would not reveal any information on the traits of an individual,” Jayraman Gowrishankar, INSA Senior Scientist at CDFD told DH.