DNA data banks to be set up at national, state level to store DNA profiles

New Delhi: DNA data banks will be set up at the national and state level to store profiles, and those who leak the information stored in such facilities will be punished with a jail term of up to three years, according to a draft bill on DNA technology being finalised by the law ministry.

The draft bill also states that all DNA data including DNA profiles, DNA samples and records, will only be used for identification of the person and not for “any other purpose”. The department of biotechnology was consulted by the law panel to draft the bill. The Law Ministry is now finalising the official draft before it goes to the Union Cabinet for final approval.

The Central government had recently informed the Supreme Court bench that a bill for DNA profiling to enable maintenance of records of unidentified and unclaimed dead bodies, missing persons and others, is likely to be brought in the upcoming session of Parliament.