The Human Genetics Commission (HGC) is due to hold a national debate in Edinburgh on the practice of holding DNA on police databases.

At present, volunteers who give DNA samples in Scotland can have them removed from the database if they wish.

There is a proposal for them to lose that right, bringing Scotland into line with England and Wales.

The conference is also due to discuss proposals to create human/animal hybrids for research purposes.

The commission has been strongly against a proposed government ban.

The issue of celebrities having their DNA secretly taken from cups or toothbrushes for paternity -*test*-('")s is also likely to be debated.

The HGC - the UK body which advises Westminster and the Scottish and Welsh governments on developments in human genetics and their implications - will be hearing from a number of speakers.

They include members of the Economic and Social Research Council's Genomics Policy and Research Forum and Generation Scotland.

The event, chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy, is being held at the Holyrood Hotel on Tuesday and Wednesday.