Posted on 05/18/2010 3:33:18 PM PDT by Second Amendment First
UC Berkeley is adding something a little different this year in its welcome package -- cotton swabs for a DNA sample.
In the past, incoming freshman and transfer students have received a rather typical welcome book from the College of Letters and Science's "On the Same Page" program, but this year the students will be asked for more.
The students will be asked to voluntarily submit a DNA sample. The cotton swabs will come with two bar code labels. One label will be put on the DNA sample and the other is kept for the students own records.
The confidential process is being overseen by Jasper Rine, a campus professor of Genetics and Development Biology, who says the test results will help students make decisions about their diet and lifestyle.
Once the DNA sample is sent in and tested, it will show the student’s ability to tolerate alcohol, absorb folic acid and metabolize lactose.
The results of the test will be put in a secure online database where students will be able to retrieve their results by using their bar code.
Rine hopes that this will excite students to be more hands-on with their college experience.
"This type of experience is one of the true, unique values of a Berkeley education. We don't just give you books to read,” Mark Schlissel, dean of the division of biological sciences said. “We involve you in cutting edge issues in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. You won't see this anywhere else in higher education."
Previously incoming students were advised to read Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and Stephen Hawking's "A Briefer History of Time" as behavioral guides.
There will also be a variety of events and lectures at the campus on lifestyle choices for all undergraduate students who choose not to participate in the DNA program.
There will also be a science-themed art contest that will award the four best entries with a full genetic analysis.
When are the students hard-wired into the OnStar system?
The lefties don’t miss a trick do they.
And we’re concerned about hurting feelings?
And will be a permanent record to be accessed in cases of rape? Or murder when there is an unidentified victim who could possibly be a student?
Times have really changed. I got a map of the campus and a booklet of school songs when I went there.
Gee, no mention of how many parts of the U.S. Constitution and its amendments this neo-Nazi bit is violating.
But it’s coming from Beserkeley, so it must be okay with the “Enlightened Class”.
Obama has to go.
Ewwwww.
And if you choose to not voluntarily contribute...?
There is no such thing. A database is either secure or online.
Just a little coercion there.
THE GREAT IVY LEAGUE NUDE POSTURE PHOTO SCANDAL
In a nutshell, Ivy league colleges from the 40s through the 70s took nude photos of all incoming freshmen.
What - no visas?
and even if it is not online, it might not be secure.
Forgot all about that one. Thanks.
imagine that - your kids’ DNA in the hands of the government, forever
If you refuse to volunteer your DNA, they can expurgate you easily enough.
I would imagine that the female DNA will go into the trash, and the men’s DNA will go into the FEDERAL database. Just wait for the first male to be prosecuted for rape or some other crime where the perp’s identity was derived from information in the database.
Its OK to ask them for a piece of their skin, but Oh No, can’t ask them for their papers!!
“The results of the test will be put in a secure online database”
Ohhhhh,, well in that case,,,
See post #11 above for the link.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.