Dna Database - 1717 Words

For over a decade, there has been a controversial issue dealing with building a national DNA database. This issue has been brought up over the discussion of the actual database and what kinds of effects will come out of it, if it actually happens to go through. Some people think the database will be a force in crime fighting. Others think it is a violation of civil liberties. In the early 1900s, â€Å"fingerprinting,† a new crime-fighting database, was developed. With the exception of identical twins, no two people have the same fingerprints. Every person who was arrested was fingerprinted, and those fingerprints were inserted into the FBI computer database. This database holds over 40 million fingerprints and this system is still used†¦show more content†¦On April 24, 2008, President George W. Bush did in fact sign into Congress the bills of the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007 and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (Alston). Congre ssman Ron Paul (R) stated that the Newborn Screening bill is the first step towards the establishment of a national DNA database, and is justified as a â€Å"national contingency plan.† However, surprisingly, he strongly opposed the bill in the first place. He insisted it threatened the liberties of Americans and told Congress â€Å"the federal government lacks both the constitutional authority and the competence to develop a newborn screening program adequate for a nation as large and diverse as the United States† (Floyd). Those of us in the medical profession should be particularly concerned about policies allowing government officials and state-favored interests to access our medical records without our consent †¦ My review of S. 1858 indicates the drafters of the legislation made no effort to ensure these newborn screening programs do not violate the privacy rights of parents and children, in fact, by directing federal bureaucrats to create a contingency pla n for newborn screening in the event of a public health disaster, this bill may lead to further erosions of medical privacy† (Floyd). The bill states that the federal government should â€Å"continue to carry out, coordinate, andShow MoreRelatedDna Profiling And The National Dna Database System1130 Words   |  5 PagesPart B: Report DNA Profiling: Is it ethical to have national DNA database system? Introduction: Today, the advancing gene technology provides humanity with numerous benefits such as Genetically Modified Food, CRISPER, and one of them is the use of DNA profiling for storing bio-information. DNA fingerprint technology allows mapping of individual’s genetic patterns that can be stored into the database system (What is DNA fingerprint? 2016). The ability to profile gene effectively, DNA fingerprintingRead MoreDNA Barcoding and the BOLD Database1187 Words   |  5 PagesMany technological advancements have been made since the discovery of DNA structure and its function in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick. Recently, scientists have developed a process called DNA barcoding. The result of DNA barcoding is a database of barcodes of species, made up of a sequence of nucleotides in specific genes. DNA barcoding is a relatively new process that isolates a section of a mitochondrial gene and amplifies it, allowing scientists to sequence the order of nucleotide ba sesRead MoreDo Positives Of Dna Databases Outweigh Negatives?1854 Words   |  8 PagesDo the Positives of DNA Databases Outweigh the Negatives? DNA databases have always been a controversial topic for not only the common people, but the governments of nations as well. DNA databases store all of the citizens’ DNA and basic genetic information on a national or international computerized system. The reasons as to why it is controversial ranges from, human rights to the risk of a security breach, and government corruption. Though the negatives vary and pose important considerations,Read MoreThe Government Wants Your Dna Database Generated By Forensic Investigation1309 Words   |  6 PagesThe government wants your DNA, yes or no? This has been the talk of the town after Major-General Wesley Wong, Second Minister for Law, announced plans for expanding the existing DNA database generated by forensic investigation to cover the entire population for the purpose of solving and controlling crime and terrorism. Understandably, many concerns arise when such confidential and sensitive personal data are stored indefinitely on a DNA database. Who could guarantee that this information wouldRead MoreMaintaining National Dna Database Case Study1120 Words   |  5 PagesMaintaining National DNA Databases: Struggle between Necessity and Ethic SNEHA SINGH1 1Advocate, Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Email – ssnehassingh1989@gmail.com 1. INTRODUCTION DNA is an acronym, which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. Every cell in an individual’s body, with the exception of red blood cells and eggs or sperm, contains the full genetic program for that individual in its DNA. The human genome, which consists of about 3 billion base pairs, harbours genetically relevantRead MoreVirginia V. King : The Case For Uniform, Nationwide Dna Collection And Dna Database Laws2445 Words   |  10 PagesKing the Supreme Court ruled that the seizure of DNA during the booking process is not protected by the Fourth Amendment. The ruling by the Supreme Court has to be further evaluated and questioned as it raises questions as to what is covered under the Fourth Amendment and if a person is allowed that right while in custody. Vikram Iyengar in his law review article ‘Maryland v. King: The case for uniform, nationwide DNA collection and DNA database laws in the United States’ will allow a closer lookRead MoreThe Case Of Maryland V King1670 Words   |  7 Pagesexplicitly related to the legality of DNA collection of individuals early in the booking process for serious crimes. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that pre-conviction DNA collection of those arrested for serious crimes is constitutional and does not violate the Fourth Amendment; a decision that will forever change the way DNA testing is used by the judicial system. This decision in favor of Maryland on the constitutionality of pre-conviction DNA testing was a result of the conclusionsRead MoreEssay on Criminal Investigations1096 Words   |  5 Pagesthat things were not altered. Part of the evidence that is collected during the crime scene processing is DNA. DNA was first used to convict an offender of a crime and jail time in 1988. Once DNA is sent out to be tested, there are three different results: inclusions, exclusions, and inconclusive. An Inclusion result is when the DNA taken at the crime scene comes back and matches the DNA of the suspect, pointing that the suspect was at the scene of the crime. Exclusions are the exact opposite;Read MoreThe Use Of Dna Databasing Is Not Only A Controversial Subject846 Words   |  4 Pages The use of DNA databasing is not only a controversial subject, but a very complex one. On the surface, the Fourth Amendment seems to guard against keeping a database full of individual’s DNA without their will. However, DNA databasing has been used successfully to solve crimes, as well as prove people’s innocence. Does this fact allow investigators to use DNA without a person’s full consent for the greate r good? The concept of bodily autonomy says no, but laws and court cases have been interpretedRead MoreGenetic Privacy And The Human Genome Project1573 Words   |  7 Pagessystem had access to a national genetic database, this issue could be resolved; if all citizens could provide the justice system with samples of their DNA, criminal cases and missing persons cases could be solved at a more efficient rate. Furthermore, if doctors had access to every patient’s genetic information, they could be informed about possible health concerns and family medical history upon a patient’s entry into the hospital. The DNA for a genetic database could be gathered through genetic testing