Posted on 07/12/2013 2:01:35 AM PDT by Olog-hai
You can ditch your computer and leave your cellphone at home, but you can’t escape your DNA. It belongs uniquely to you—and, increasingly, to the authorities.
Countries around the world are collecting genetic material from millions of citizens in the name of fighting crime and terrorism—and, according to critics, heading into uncharted ethical terrain. …
The international police agency Interpol listed 54 nations with national police DNA databases in 2009, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany and China. Brazil and India have since announced plans to join the club, and the United Arab Emirates intends to build the world’s first database of an entire national population.
The biggest database is in the United States—the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, which holds information on more than 11 million people suspected of or convicted of crimes. It is set to grow following a May Supreme Court ruling that upheld the right of police forces to take DNA swabs without a warrant from people who are arrested, not just those who are convicted. …
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
It’s a high tech alternative to taking fingerprints.
It can’t be altered, like fingerprints.
In the case of twins, it’s less reliable than fingerprints (twins have the same DNA but not fingerprints).
Some people are chimeras who have two sets of DNA.
The other problem is when someone uses fake ID, and their DNA is associated with an innocent person.
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.