Debates
09 Jan 06
Originally posted by invigorateI think not. DNA technology is used, as you rightly state, to help solve many crimes, however the technology of DNA fingerprinting is not perfect, and the statistics used in many of these cases are at best misleading. For example, a hair or some spittle left at a crime scene only proves that the ID'd individual was at that crime scene at some point. DNA is stable for about 30 years. Many of the statistics presented in cases where DNA fingerprinting give the jury a 'one in a million likelihood'. This isn;t really that great. There are 6 billion people on the planet. A one in a million chance only limits that to 6,000 possible individuals - many of which will be your own family members with whom you'll share large lengths of DNA code. It's not a one in a million chance that this individual did it.
DNA is being used to solve many cimes these days.
Would society be a much safer if we took a DNA sample from every baby born?
I wonder how many lab technicians have been found guilty of rape or murder because one of their hair follicles fell into the PCR machine?
Mapping someone's entire DNA is quite different to just a DNA fingerprint. A fingerprint cannot be used for cloning or obtaining any useful information on your genes. The only characteristics being that it is highly distinctive to the individual (although as mentioned, not unique). Therefore I would say it is quite safe to obtain a DNA fingerprint from birth. Although using it as evidence shouldn't be the only evidence.
Originally posted by lauseyWell to fingerprint the whole human race would only cost
Mapping someone's entire DNA is quite different to just a DNA fingerprint. A fingerprint cannot be used for cloning or obtaining any useful information on your genes. The only characteristics being that it is highly distinctive to the individual (although as mentioned, not unique). Therefore I would say it is quite safe to obtain a DNA fingerprint from birth. Although using it as evidence shouldn't be the only evidence.
12,000 trillion dollars US, so its only a matter of time๐
Originally posted by invigorateI think it is a gross invasion of privacy. I dont want my fingerprints on file let alone my DNA. Call me paranoid, but i want to keep some things to myself and not let the government have the very "code" that created me.
But we already record several pieces of data when a baby is born. Why not take a swab for a DNA criminal database.
Whilst I understand that it is not conclusive evidence in itself, it will definitely help solve several crimes.
Originally posted by EsotericI agree, especially if a DNA profile could someday be used to evaluate your insurance and employment positions. What if your DNA suggests a predisposition to depression? Your potential boss could refuse to employ you, given this.
I think it is a gross invasion of privacy. I dont want my fingerprints on file let alone my DNA. Call me paranoid, but i want to keep some things to myself and not let the government have the very "code" that created me.
Originally posted by Conrau KAs I said earlier, a DNA fingerprint gives out VERY little information and cannot possibly be used by employers or insurance companies to determain such things like genetic flaws. Mapping out an entire DNA strand is another story though which is a much more mammoth task (which has only recently been achieved). DNA fingerprints have been possible for quite some time now though.
I agree, especially if a DNA profile could someday be used to evaluate your insurance and employment positions. What if your DNA suggests a predisposition to depression? Your potential boss could refuse to employ you, given this.