LS-DNA-BILL

DNA technology bill in LS
    New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI) The DNA Technology Regulation
Bill, which seeks to control the use of DNA technology for
establishing the identity of a person, was introduced in Lok
Sabha on Monday amid questions being raised by opposition
parties on its provisions.
    A similar bill was passed in Lok Sabha in January,
but lapsed as it could not be cleared in Rajya Sabha. The bill
had then lapsed with the dissolution of the previous Lok
Sabha.
    Opposing the introduction of the bill, Congress leader in
Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, the bill violates
fundamental rights as DNA of undertrials can be collected
without court orders.
    Describing the draft law as "flawed", he said there is no
provision of consent on the storage of DNA data.
    Shashi Tharoor (Cong) alleged that the bill will
institutionalise a "surveillance state" and suggested that
first a data protection law should be put in place. "You
cannot put the cart before the horse," he said.
    Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, who
introduced the bill, said there is "no serious substance" in
the concerns raised by members.
    He also pointed out that several rounds of consultations
have been undertaken and the measure has been pending for
nearly a decade. He reminded members that a similar bill was
passed by the previous Lok Sabha too after long deliberations.
    The legislation seeks to establish a National DNA Data
Bank and Regional DNA Data Banks.
    The bill envisages that every data bank will maintain
indices like the crime scene index, suspects' or undertrials'
index, offenders' index, missing persons' index and unknown
deceased persons' index.
    The legislation also seeks to establish a DNA Regulatory
Board. Every laboratory that analyses DNA samples to establish
the identity of an individual, has to be accredited by the
board.
    Under the bill, a written consent by individuals is
required to collect DNA samples from them. Consent is not
required for offences with punishment of more than seven years
of imprisonment or death.
    It also provides for removal of DNA profiles of suspects
on filing of a police report or court order, and of
undertrials on the basis of a court order. Profiles in the
crime scene and missing persons' index will be removed on a
written request. PTI NAB
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from a PTI feed.)