|
Résumé :
|
CITES (Convention on International Traie in Endangered Species of Wïld Fauna and Flora), is an international agreement which aims at regulating the tracte of plants and animais. It is based on the principae that control over the sustainable traie offauna and flora and theirproducts, constitutes a conservation measure of the wild populations, above ail if the concept of sustainable use of living species, forms the basis of international and national legislation. In fact, the correct application of the CITES means that the dynamics of threatened species and populations subject to traie is constantly controlled. CITES works by authoring the issue of import and export permits of living specimens and their products that are among the protected species listed in Appendices I and II. The species in Appendix I are afforded total protection, and trade in spécimens ofthese species is only permitted under exceptional circumstances. Tracte ofspecies listed in Appendix II is possible though must be closely controlled. CITES also regulates the detention and traie of fauna and flora reproduced in captivity and then possibly used for travelling collections or exhibitions. In these cases, CITES permits are issued only when there is proof that these specimens were born and bred in captivity. The EC Commission Regulation No. 1808/2001, regarding the protection of wild fauna and flora through tracte regulations establishes that the Management Authorities of the State can avail themselves ofgenetic testing to détermine the origin and the degree ofkinship ofplants and animais detained and reproduced in captivity. As a consequence of these norms, the Management Authoril can issue export permits for commercial purposes of specimens listed in Appendix I reproduced in captivity only after certification that the specimens in question where actually born in captivity. Forensic genetics is going through a period of rapid progress thanks to the development of DNA molecular testing methodologies that have reached levels ofprecision, repeatability and reliability that were unthinkable until retently. The concept of DNA fingerprinting has rapidly become part of everyday speech. Molecular methodologies have an elevated capacity of identification (every individuah except for identical twins, has a unique genetic profile, that differs frocm any other individual). The results of laboratory tests can be interpreted in ,the context of population genetics and the theory of probability. In this manner the results of laboratory tests can be expressed in a quantitative manner (probabilistically) and evaluated through statistical analysis. The principal aim of forensic genetic testing is to verify the hypothesis that a specific DNA fingerprinting is univocally associated to a particular individual or that the DNA fingerprinting of an offspring is derived from the DNA fingerprinting of the two putative parents. The DNA testing methods permit the identification of every individuel present in a population and the reconstruction of the degree of relationship within a family unit. The results of DNA tests provide information that can be used as evidence during legal proceedings in law courts. Forensic genetic procedures must guarantee high quality results, that must be evaluated accurately and be comprehensible also to those who are not geneticists by profession. Forensic genetic testing is used to provide the competent authorities with objective information that can assist them in making decisions and resolving legal disputes. The methods used in molecular testing which allow the reconstruction cf DNA fingerprinting are based on observations of the presence of very complex and variable DNA segment arrangements within genomes that are associated exclusively to each individual. The structure of DNA fingerprinting is caused by genetic mutations of the genes that are, almost always, well identified. The variability of DNA fingerprinting is rigorously analysed using models of population genetics and statistic procedures. The use of molecular genetics in forensic science is based on strong biological and statistical data. DNA fingerprinting is widely used in firensic genetics as well as in criminolor» and is applied in decisions regarding paternity identification of animal and plant species and individuels, poaching and tracte of living specimens and their products. DNA fingerprinting testing can considerably reduce the level of subjectivity that is inherent in all identification procedures, as long as it is carried out and evaluated correctly. It is opportune to limit the definition of DNA fingerprinting to those methods of molecular testing that permit the identification of samples. These methods include: "DNA fingerprinting" recognition of typical multi-loci, achieved by means of multi-locus probes; multiple single locus (each one consisting of a variable number of tandem repeats); "DNA fingerprinting" recognition, attained by means of specific single locus probes; PCR analysis of micro-satellite loci (short tandem repeats). Independently from which method is used the pattern of DNA segments identified in each sample results in an individual genetic arrangement sample-specific. At the INFS (National Institute for Wild Fauna) Genetic Laboratory in concordance with the Ministry of the Environnent, Nature Conservation Department, forensic genetic testing is currently underway in application of the CITES. The testing that is being carried out is principally for CITES certification of species born in captivity, and regard numerous bird and mammal species.
|
