The DNA Profiling Advisory Committee (DPAC), set up by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) with CDFD as a nodal agency to streamline the functioning of DNA profiling centres across the country, is geared up for its first Sub-Committee meeting at Hyderabad.
DPAC, under the chairmanship of Dr Padmanabhan, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, would outline the broad policy directives needed for framing necessary regulations concerning DNA profiling, testing, DNA data bank and crime investigation etc. The committee would be responsible for overseeing and enforcing these proposed regulations.
The specific mandate of the committee includes assessment of infrastructure for DNA profiling facility, creation of additional facilities and up gradation of existing laboratories, and making recommendations for governmental assistance to DNA profiling related work and activities.
The committee will also evolve uniform methods and standards to ensure quality-assured examination of DNA samples, advice on new R & D activities related to DNA profiling and securing IPR protection. It will also ensure setting up of a DNA data bank and enact suitable legislation related to DNA profiling.
"In West, DNA Fingerprinting has been considered as evidence for judiciary, but in India, it is yet to happen. There is a major lacuna, and it needs to be taken care, Dr Syed Hasnain, director, CDFD and the convener of the Committee told Pharmabiz.
'Hyderabad Declaration on Impact of New Biology on Justice Delivery System,' which was drafted following the discussions in an international conference organized by CDFD and NALSAR held at Hyderabad from October 3 to 5, 2003, acted as a catalyst, he added.
It's recommendation includes establishing a Human Genetics Commission to provide a technical and strategic advice, establishing an Ethics Committee to assess ethical, legal and social issues raised by research on human genome and use of DNA databases, and ban on Human reproductive cloning.
The two Sub-Committees - one for Quality Assurance & Quality Control and other, responsible for drafting legislation on DNA-will discuss various aspects and chalk out strategies on June 17 and 18 at CDFD, Hyderabad, Dr Hasnain said.
The Sub-Committees of the D-PAC will begin operation within 2 years or anytime since legislation is passed by the Parliament. The Legislation Drafting Sub-Committee is chaired by professor Ranbir Singh, director of the NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad and has other members representing legal and other related ministries of Government of India. The other Sub-Committee is chaired by Dr V. K. Kashyap, director, CFSL, Kolkata and similarly has other members. Dr Hasnain is the member secretary of both these Sub-Committees.