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Duma Approves DNA Database
The Russian State Duma has approved the first reading of a law to create a database of the DNA of Russian citizens, RIA Novosti reports. The draft law “On State Genomic Registration in the Russian Federation” was introduced into the Duma by the government. The authors of the bill note that a DNA database of individual categories of citizens will raise the effectiveness of crime fighting and combating terrorism and extremism and could also aid in searches for missing people and the identification of bodies.
The bill lays the legal groundwork for the taking, storing and use of DNA from Russians, foreign citizens and stateless persons. The database would contain DNA from unidentified bodies, unidentified individuals and criminals convicted of serious crimes as well. Access to the database would be limited law enforcement employees.
The Regnum agency quotes deputy chairman of the Duma Committee on Defense Vladimir Kolesnikov as saying that volunteers will be able to contribute their DNA to the database for a small fee. Previous reports say that a DNA database would be created within five years. The Interior Ministry has 35 laboratories that have been approved to conduct genetic research.
www.kommersant.com
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Photo: Vasily Shaposhnikov