Researchers have established a DNA database for workers doing hazardous jobs, the head of Iran’s Nour Research Center on Genetics, Mohammad Tavallaei, said. According to Tavallaei, a database containing the genetic information of laborers can eliminate identification problems after accidents, Mehr News Agency reported. “Chances of accidents are high for laborers performing physically demanding jobs, which makes it necessary to store their genetic information,” he said. In addition to such jobs, workers facing danger such as journalists, cabin crew members and sailors could also be eligible for the project. Announcing his center’s plan to start the project, Tavallaei invited employers to fund the genetic tests. A DNA database is a type of biorepository that stores biological samples for later use. A DNA database is different from a biobank as the information used in a biobank would be used in medical research, supporting many types of contemporary research like genomics and personalized medicine.
