The proposal is for all DNA samples to be kept 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.

Tuesday's conference discussed proposals to create human/animal hybrids for research purposes.

Paternity tests

The commission has been strongly against a proposed government ban.

The HGC - the UK body which advises Westminster and the Scottish and Welsh governments on developments in human genetics and their implications - heard 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.