Knowledge and Attitude of Medical Students of Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt About National DNA Database

Abstract

Background: DNA database is used to identify individuals based on their specific DNA profiles. In Egypt, a definitive law describing and legalizing DNA related issues is absent; however, the Egyptian courts frequently deal with these issues. The legal authorities strongly suggest the impending need for detailed decrees in this regard that guard the safety of the whole Egyptian community. This paper aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of Medical students about Egyptian National DNA Database (END).Methods: Data of this study were collected from 272 participants in the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University using interviewer administered questionnaire. Results:The participants were 136 males and 136 females with mean (SD) age of 27(9) years. Majority of the participants (89.7%) were aware about national database out of their medical textbooks. Personal identification was the most chosen END benefit and database usefulness was the main motivation for them. About 29% suggested to start END with the detected crime scene stains and forensic doctors should freely access END. Conclusion:These collective points of views might be useful in preparing some international and common ethical standards for the development of DNA databases framework.

The Position of Forensic DNA Database in Criminal Investigation: Understanding the Utilization in Africa, Particularly Nigeria a Review

“…Thus, the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act ( 2013) expressly provides a definition, obtaining, processing, and storing of DNA profiles in the Forensic DNA Database of South Africa (NFDD) [16,75,76,17]. In Egypt, there is no definitive legislative provision for the use of DNA evidence, obtaining, processing, and storing DNA profiling in the Egyptian National DNA Database (END) [75,77]. However, it is reported that the Egyptian courts have frequently dealt with forensic DNA evidence [77].…”

“…In Egypt, there is no definitive legislative provision for the use of DNA evidence, obtaining, processing, and storing DNA profiling in the Egyptian National DNA Database (END) [75,77]. However, it is reported that the Egyptian courts have frequently dealt with forensic DNA evidence [77]. for the rest of the enlisted African countries with reported DNA databases as demonstrated in figure 1, are yet to adopt specific and express legislative provision for their respective forensic DNA databases [75,44,28].…”

Assessment of public awareness and willingness for establishment/storage of DNA profile in a national DNA database in Nigeria

“…Also, there is a paucity of scientific report about the level of public awareness concerning forensic DNA database and the willingness for possible inclusion of DNA profiles in the National Forensic DNA Database in Africa particularly Nigeria. Hence our interest in assessing a sample of Nigerian adults on their knowledge and acceptance of a national forensic DNA database to support criminal investigation as conducted by other groups of researchers around the world in support of a responsible forensic DNA database policy [25,3,15,5,21].…”