Nerdy Science Blog

HeraldSun (27/5/2008):

DEALS involving patents between research groups and biotechnology companies are a poison pill obstructing investment in the sector, analysts said yesterday.

Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Minister Kim Carr said yesterday intellectual property (IP) ownership would be one of the factors examined in a new review into the pharmaceuticals sector.

Police can check the background of criminal via Chemistry Department’s DNA database.

With the passing of the DNA Identification Act police investigations on the background of convicts would be eased by checks with Chemistry Department’s DNA database.

“With this system, once a suspect is arrested we can straightaway check on the person’s background and profile, if he has previous convictions,” said Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha. “However, we have to wait for the passing of the DNA Identification Act because we must have an Act to refer to, as this matter involves human rights,” he added.

Does this means that they can also use the DNA database to check if the convict’s family has criminal records (such as family raping history line) as well?