If Passed In Monsoon Session, DNA Bill Will Give Unchecked Powers To Modi Govt – By Vrinda Bhandari
The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Bill, 2019 has, once again, come in the news, after being listed for “consideration and passing” in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament…. In February 2021, the Standing Committee submitted its report, raising various issues of privacy, profiling, and independence of the proposed regulator, the DNA Regulatory Board.
The Bill aims to regulate the use and application of DNA technology to establish the identity of certain persons and for its use in the criminal justice system. It envisages the creation of National DNA Data Banks and Regional DNA Data Banks to store DNA profiles, requires accreditation for labs undertaking DNA testing, and establishes the Board to, among other things, assist in criminal investigations.
However, the Bill suffers from various issues, such as the infringement of privacy and autonomy, lack of purpose limitation, lack of safeguards against violation of bodily and informational privacy, and wide discretionary powers to the State….
