NewsletterThe Newsletter of the Government Chemist Labaratory Agency Issue No. 2 January - March 2007

The Government

Chemist

The Vice Presi-

dent visits the

GCLA Labs

The Government

Chemist Laboratory

Agency (GCLA) had the

honor to host the Vice

President of Tanzania, Dr.

Ali Mohamed Shein,

January 2007.....

page 2

GCLA News

The best chemical laboratory

for testing and

analytical services in Tanzania

GCLAOcean Road/Lithuli Street

P.O. Box 164 Dar es SalaamTel: +255 22 2113383/4

Fax: +255 22 2113320E mail: gcla@gcla.go.tz

www.gcla.go.tz

observe human rights GCLA is working on pro-

posed guidelines on how to obtain DNA samples

for analysis and handling the results.

The effects are diverse of the DNA technology

without a law that will guide how to collect,

transport, analysis and store DNA samples and

their results.

There are chances that the information will

be used for � Inappropriate business ventures

� Breach of con

� No control and administration of the re-

searches /studies of Human DNA

� Possible disagreement of sample taking

between parents in a disputed parent-

age cases to establish a child�s legal

parent.

� No DNA pro databank � incapacity

to identify victims of disasters like MV Bu-

koba in 1996 or the Dodoma train crash

in 2002 or the Shauritanga incident in

1994

� Possibility of a third party to use a DNA

pro to deny a person Insurance, jobs,

or studies opportunity

DNA technology is new to Tanzania therefore

more training on know how of the technology is

important to lawyers, prosecutor, and the com-

munity, police, doctors who are involved in either

take in, storing, or transporting DNA samples.

The expectations from the GCLA and DNA

technology

A law for proper use of DNA usage and research

which should look at the following areas and

needs:

� The quality and control of sample taking

� The police should be in the capacity to

take samples from suspects of criminal of-

fences for DNA analysis and to be stored

for later use in the Data bank.

� The capacity to utilize the information

� To highlight on how to take, store, trans-

port of samples for analysis and how to

dispose used samples.

Storage of statistics and information from the

DNA analysis

� To store all available DNA pro

� Cooperation between all law enforce-

ment and state organs in preparing re-

ports on criminals obtained form DNA

analysis and how there were obtained

� Con of data and prevent un-

authorized information release

� Being in a capacity to exchange or send

DNA pro via internet for criminal follow

up.

Database initiative

� To assist Police in criminal investigation a

databank of DNA pro at National level

is important.

� The Database can be in the following

categories:

1. Criminal Justice Database � people who

are suspected or being reported for crimi-

nal offences � to nap repeated offenders

�who have been arraigned before court

or being suspected

2. Crime Scene Database � objects collect-

ed from crime scenes and their DNA pro-

to assists in criminal investigation later

in case there are no suspects.

The Bottom line:

Being with a functional law to oversee DNA use

will make analysis and investigation better and

ef to avoid inappropriate use against the

community.

What is DNA?The Acronym DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic

Acid. DNA code carries all inherited informa-

tion of a living organism like the body shape and

character. The DNA code of organisms may be

similar among certain species. However, the DNA

code is very distinctive to every organism. DNA

has proven to be of high bene for humans and

science since its discovery, hence a fast growing

industry worldwide.

PROFILE

10. GCLA Newsletter

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user ts et A

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11. GCLA Newsletter

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