ANGARA PROPOSES LEGISLATION FOR DNA TECH IN RP
Seeks to aid criminal and medical tests to achieve faster results

Senator Edgardo J. Angara calls for the legislation of the "DNA Analysis Enhancement Act of 2007" and tap the benefits of DNA technology for the country's efforts to improve investigative and medical bodies.

Angara stresses, "Any type of organism can be identified by examining DNA sequences unique to them. To identify individuals, forensic scientists scan 13 DNA regions that vary from person to person and create a DNA profile of an individual. A 'match' allows DNA experts to identify an individual as a suspect or exclude him from suspicion."

DNA analysis serves several uses for investigations, including the identification of potential suspects whose DNA may match evidence left at crime scenes, exoneration of persons wrongly accused of crimes, identification of crime and catastrophe victims, establish paternity and other family relationships, identification of endangered and protected species, detection of organisms that pollute the environment and match organ donors with recipients in transplant programs.

"With a stronger DNA technology in the country, investigation and medical undertakings can be further expedited and hence up productivity and positive results, especially in solving crimes and determining evidences," comments Angara, Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE).

Senate Bill 874 focuses on the capacity of forensic DNA technology to contribute to the criminal justice system. Specifically, the bill will provide the statutory authority for the creation of the National DNA Index System (NADIS) in the country.

In many industrialized countries, DNA forensic technology has altered the landscape of the criminal justice system. It continues to place a human face on the statistical probability of error that has always existed in the criminal justice system. For the most part, DNA technology is able to produce unquestionably sound and reliable results by scientific communities and the courts.

"I am strongly optimistic that enhancing the generation and use of genetic information thru DNA analyses will contribute greatly to the investigation and expeditious resolution of crimes," Angara concludes.