I was listening to a show on the radio about everyone having their DNA taken and stored in a database. It would be like a modern day version of the police force having your fingerprint but it would be a more definitive way of identifying an individual.
The hosts on the show were arguing about privacy issues, and how the government already has too much of our data as it is, in this day and age of privacy issues and personal information, we need to keep our individuality intact.
I don't really see the harm with a DNA registry, I think it would be an excellent crime fighting tool and a way to save money when trying to identify a body. One of the hosts brought up the point of a rape victim, someone she spoke to was raped and they never caught the person. His DNA was all over her in the form of sweat, hair and other undesirable fluids.
A DNA registry would instantly be able to find this individual if he were in the data bank and he would be caught and off the streets, unable to prey upon another unsuspecting victim.
The other host had concerns about abuse of power and how somebody could use that information against us somehow. I don't see how our DNA could be used against us, if you were to be framed for a crime, that can already be done with a hair sample or blood. If there was a registry it would take lees time for the authorities to find you.
If you were in need of medical attention in the form of a drug specifically tailored for your genetic makeup, a genetic registry would make it a lot easier to get it done.
DNA is the molecular makeup of your body, it has no information about your thoughts or feelings, it can't tell what kind of person you are or if you are a murderer or a savior. It is only a more definitive way to positively identify you, like an advanced fingerprint.
So what are your thoughts? Good or bad?
Scott Goerz
