Spain offers Haiti a DNA testing system to fight against child trafficking
Por admin • 29 Jan, 2010 • Sección: Latests news, GeneralSpanish Government - PRESS CALL
- Spain’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Soraya Rodríguez, will explain this program to the media.
- The program, called DNA-Prokids, has been developed by the University of Granada and has identified more than 230 children in 12 countries last year.
Press conference will be on Monday 1st February at 12 a.m. in the Salón de Embajadores od the AECID (Avd. Reyes Católicos 4, Madrid)
Madrid, 29th January 2010. Spain’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Soraya Rodríguez, will explain on Monday 1st February to the media the program, developed by the University of Granada, to fight against child trafficking in Haiti. It is a genetic testing system called DNA-Prokids which will be provided free of charge by the Spanish Government.
The system consists on taking saliva or blood samples for children under 18 separated from their families in the disaster as well as from parents who have reported missing childrens. An ad hoc database will be created which will be available for Haitian Authorities.
The market price of the program is estimated in 250 euros/case, but DNA-Prokids will offer it at no cost for Haiti.
DNA - Prokids has been created and developed by the University of Granada, and was rolled out in several countries in 2009, with the collaboration of the University of North Texas. Up to date has contributed to identify more than 230 children victims of child trafficking. Since last June it is granted with 500 000 dollars from the Life Technologies foundation. It is also supported by other private sponsors (BBVA, Fundación Botín-Santander, CajaGranada), and the Andalusian Regional Government.
Further information: Área de Comunicación AECID. comunicacion@aecid.es
Phones: (+34) 91 583 82 65 – 690 29 18 05 – 659 18 59 72
