Genomic registration of Russians will begin in the new year
The law "On State Genomic Registration in the Russian Federation", which will regulate the process of obtaining, storing and using information about human DNA, comes into force on January 1, 2009, according to tomorrow's issue of the Russian newspaper, where the full text of the regulatory act will be published.
Genomic information is necessary for the prevention, disclosure and investigation of crimes, the identification of criminals, the search for missing persons. In addition, information about a person's DNA may be the only way to establish a person's identity or kinship.
In accordance with the law, state genomic registration can be mandatory and voluntary.
Persons convicted and serving sentences for committing grave or especially grave crimes, as well as crimes against sexual inviolability and sexual freedom of the individual, are subject to mandatory genomic registration, the Russian newspaper notes.
In addition, mandatory genomic registration will be carried out in relation to unidentified persons whose biological material was seized during investigative actions, and unidentified bodies.
Citizens of the Russian Federation, as well as foreign citizens and stateless persons located on the territory of Russia will be able to undergo genomic registration voluntarily on a paid basis.
– Carrying out state genomic registration will serve as a deterrent for persons convicted of crimes, and therefore have a preventive value, positively affect the criminogenic situation in the country, – said Vladimir Klevno, director of the Russian Center for Forensic Medical Examination, Chief Medical Examiner of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
According to him, the federal database of genomic information will be formed on the basis of data obtained during genomic registration, he added.
– The creation and use of the federal DNA database will be carried out on the basis of the security requirements provided for by the legislation of the Russian Federation on personal data, – said the chief forensic expert.
It is planned that the unified information system of the internal affairs bodies will ensure the exchange and use of genomic information, Klevno added.
Information about citizens whose identity was known at the time of taking biological material will be stored until the fact of their death is established or until the date when they would have turned 100 years old. In relation to unidentified persons undergoing criminal proceedings – 70 years from the date of receipt of biological material.
The law stipulates that data on unidentified bodies will be stored until the person's identity is established, but also no more than 70 years. A person who has passed genomic registration voluntarily will be able to write a statement about its destruction at any time.
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru09.12.2008