Genome Registration in Russia: Problems and Prospects of Development

Abstract

Evolving genetic technologies influence various social relations: medical care, biosafety, crime control, etc. Genome registration originated as a part of forensic identification of a person and now it is actively developing. Thus, we are facing with a set of organizational, financial and legal problems that need to be resolved. The current legislation in terms of genome registration is mainly focused on solving problems of crime prevention and crime control. Therefore, its potential is almost exhausted. The authors suggest that the preocedure of voluntary genome registration should be developed, which will facilitate resolution of problems arising not only with regard to forensics, but also in biomedicine and other areas of life. In this regard, the paper argues that it is necessary to establish a universal government database of genomic data and focuses on a number of questions raised in connection with genetic passportization, namely: citizens’ rights protection and data security. According to the author, the expansion of the range of tasks that genome registration can complete will give impetus to the development of this activity. However, it is necessary to solve, in a timely manner, a set of interrelated legal, organizational, financial problems, to ensure a balance between private and public interests, biological and data security.