Russia locks down DNA data as Putin signs new restrictions

It appears that Moscow fears the hostile West could obtain the genetic code of ordinary Russian citizens to create what has been described as ethnic biological weapons.

To prevent this, Putin signed a law that effectively places a veto on transferring the results of genetic and immunological research on Russian citizens to foreign companies and governments.

In other words, Russians’ DNA is now effectively treated as a state secret and placed under the control of Russian authorities, meaning that any large-scale data obtained from studies of the Russian population can no longer be transferred abroad.

The amendments were officially introduced into the law On State Regulation in the Field of Genetic Engineering Activities.

The ban applies to:

• the collection and storage of genetic information by foreigners within Russia;
• the transfer and distribution of such data via the internet;
• granting access to databases to foreign legal entities and individuals.

Who can bypass the ban

Naturally, loopholes remain for officials who still wish to receive medical treatment in what is often sarcastically referred to as the decaying Europe.

Biological materials may be sent abroad if it concerns treatment for a specific patient or the development of medicines under special authorization.

Captive to his own fears

Official Moscow explains these steps as protecting sovereignty, although experts see them as yet another sign of paranoia. After all, global genetics is built on the free exchange of data, and attempts by Russia to nationalize DNA will only deepen its scientific and medical backwardness from the developed world.

This could significantly slow the development of modern treatments for complex diseases within Russia itself.

However, it seems that Russia has decided it is better to go without medicines for genetic disorders than to give the world a chance to learn what the mysterious Russian soul is truly made of at the chromosomal level.

Incidentally, it has also become known whether humanity could perish from biological weapons.

Additionally, the UN Security Council rejected Russia’s resolution on searching for alleged biological weapons in Ukraine.