Relevance : GS Paper III (Science and Technology)
[1300 words reduced to 150]
- The DNA Bill, 2018 is to be considered by the Rajya Sabha.
- Problems with the draft Bill:
- disregards ethical dilemmas
- treats DNA as infallible
- infringement of civil liberties is seen as legitimate trade-off
- proposed law is vague
- allows DNA collection in civil cases as well
- failure to place sufficient checks on the misuse of DNA evidence
- a range of privacy protections are absent in the Bill
- enhances the State’s coercive powers
- Why do we need a DNA law?
- Genes encoded in DNA are important tool in forensic science
- DNA profile helps in establishing the identity of a suspect.
- only a small amount of genetic material is needed to create DNA profile.
- DNA evidence used across the world in complex investigations.
- We should not the government untrammelled access to deeply personal material.
