Ukraine’s parliament passes bill on DNA registry

A total of 256 members of parliament have supported the legislation, Ukrinform reports.

An Electronic Register of Human Genomic Data, to be managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The goal of the state registration of genomic data is to identify perpetrators of criminal offenses; locate missing persons; identify bodies, human remains, and body parts; identify persons who, due to health, age, or other circumstances, are unable to identify themselves.

The bill states that the registration of genomic data can be both mandatory and voluntary.

In particular, the government will mandatorily collect DNA samples from those who were found guilty of acts constituting a public threat or crimes against the foundations of national security, life, health, will, honor, dignity, sexual freedom and sexual integrity of the person, property, and public safety, as well as those guilty of crimes in the sphere of circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or precursors, against peace, security of humanity and international legal order, and to whom coercive measures of a medical nature are applied by court ruling.

Mandatory state registration of genomic data shall be carried out at the expense of the state budget.

At the same time, anyone could apply for DNA registration on a paid basis. Citizens of Ukraine, as well as foreigners and stateless persons who have provided written consent, are entitled to voluntary state registration of genomic data.

DNA data shall not be subject to publication.

As reported, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the relevant bill at first reading on April 14, 2022.