Question

Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word article based on your notes. Include the following:

Scene(s) identified that represent an application of DNA technology

Scene(s) identified that could be used in an application of DNA technology

Identification of ethical concerns arising from applications of DNA technology

Identification of legal concerns arising from applications of DNA technology

Identification of social concerns arising from applications of DNA technology

Answer 1

The Bill regulates the use of DNA technology for establishing the identify of the persons in respect of matters listed in a schedule. These include the criminal matters and the civil matters such as parentage disputes , emigration or immigration, and transplantation of human organs. The Bill establishes a National DNA Data Bank and regional DNA Data Bank . Every Data Bank will maintain the following indices: 1) crime scene index , 2) suspect's or undertrials index , 3) offenders index , 4) missing persons index , 5) unknown deceased persons index . The Bill provides for the removal of DNA profiles of suspects on filling 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 . The Deoxyribonucleic Acid ( DNA) is a set of instructions found in a cell . These instructions are used for growth and development of an organism . Currently , the use of DNA technology for identification of individuals is not regulated . Use of DNA Data : The Bill regulates DNA resulting the identification of persons , in respect of matters listed in the schedule . This includes offences under the Indian penal Code , 1860 , as well as offences under other laws such as the Immoral Traffic Act , 1956 , the medical termination of pregnancy Act , 1971 , the protection of civil rights Act , 1955 , and Motor Vehicle Act , 1988. The penalty for various offences such as : 1) unauthorised disclosure of the information from the Data bank , 2) obtaining information from the Data Bank without authorisation , 3) using DNA sample without authorisation , is imprisonment up to three years and fine of up to one lakh rupees . Further , the penalty for intentional tampering or destruction of biological evidence is imprisonment up to five years as well as fine up to two lakh rupees . While DNA can establish the identity of a person , its analysis can also reveal information related to his medical and physical characteristics , which could affect his privacy . For this reason , DNA profiling to establish the identity of a person is done using a specific portion of the DNA that does not reveal any additional information about the individual . This practice is followed in several countries including the United States of America and United Kingdom . Laws in countries such as South Africa and Ireland specify that the DNA profile will not contain information related to medical or physical characteristics of the individual .