Indian Government Passes Human DNA Profiling Bill to Allow Intimate Forensic Procedures

According to the draft of the Human DNA Profiling Bill 2015, the Union Government has proposed to allow collection of samples from private parts of human body for DNA profiling and data preservation with the help of the department of biotechnology (DBT). "Any intimate body samples from living persons shall be collected, and intimate forensic procedures shall be performed by a medical practitioner. Intimate body samples mean a sample of blood, semen or any other tissue, fluid, urine or pubic hair; or a swab taken from a person's body orifice other than mouth; or skin or tissue from an internal organ or body part taken from a person living or dead," said the draft bill.

The bill said that "Intimate forensic procedure means procedures conducted on living individual such as external examination of genitals or anal area, adding that methods such as vacuum suction, scraping or lifting by tape would be employed for collection of tissue."

It suggested that a National DNA Profiling Board and a National DNA Bank will be set up in Hyderabad, with every state having a regional DNA data bank. It will maintain records of samples found at crime scenes, or from suspects, offenders, missing persons, volunteers, etc. The samples must be kept confidential and they should be used only for establishing identity of a person.

The bill also makes it clear that no DNA Laboratory shall undertake DNA profiling without the prior approval of the DNA Board. If a foreign country requests DNA profiling, the DNA Bank will coordinate through CBI or a concerned department. For unauthorized use of data, a stringent punishment will be provided.

Source-Medindia