Important safeguards and a cost-benefit analysis are still lacking in the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018. Discuss. (200 words)
Refer – The Hindu
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
Missing safeguards
· The Bill allows for involuntary collection of DNA samples from suspects of criminal cases with certain restrictions.
· Further, if it is only a case of minor offence, then a magistrate order is required before DNA samples are collected.
· Also, the Bill does have provisions for the destruction of DNA samples and removal of innocent people’s DNA profiles from the database.
· However, these provisions are inadequate as, the removal of innocent people’s records has not been stated to be automatic.
· Also, considering the lack of expertise within our police departments and the carefree attitude for procedural compliances, there are imminent risks.
Cost-Benefit analysis
· It has been budgeted to allocate a onetime Rs. 20 crore for setting up the database and Rs. 5 crore for its annual maintenance, but this is a pittance.
· Estimates have it that it would cost a lot more to keep the database live and operational and a prudent cost analysis hasn’t been done yet.
· Notably, creating large databases is often not a cost-effective way to solve more crimes, and limited resources must be targeted effectively.
Shankaranand 6 years
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IAS Parliament 6 years
