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KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 26, 2008) : A government backbencher has proposed that a ruling be made to compel newly born babies give deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples.
Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) said this would facilitate implementation of the DNA Act and complete the DNA data bank.
"Data in the DNA bank can be used to solve crimes and during disasters to verify the identities of babies," he said when debating the DNA Bill 2008 in Dewan Rakyat here today.
The proposal was supported by Dr Mohd Hayati Othman (PAS-Pendang) who said Portugal also proposed to come up with such a ruling.
He said this could be done by taking DNA sample from the umbilical cord blood and storing it in the DNA data bank.
"DNA samples are important in fire and accident cases where the victims' identities cannot be verified even via thumbprints," he said.
Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) wanted the bill to be debated thoroughly so that doubts and weaknesses could be identified.
"This Act is being formulated to solve problems. What will happen if I refuse to give my DNA sample? I can just pay the fine and go to jail, but this will not solve the problem," he said.
When tabling the bill, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said it was aimed at establishing a DNA forensic data bank so that DNA sample could be taken for analysis.
He said the DNA Bill 2008 or DNA Identification Act will empower the police to take DNA samples from suspects in criminal cases as case reference.
Suspects who refused to give non-intimacy (hair) sample could be fined not more than RM10,000 or jailed not more than one year or both.
It did not specify the punishment for those who refused to give intimacy (blood) sample.
Those found tampering with the DNA profile could be jailed not more than five years or fined not more than RM50,000 or both.
The session continues tomorrow. -- BERNAMA
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