As biotechnology rapidly evolves, various issues such as establishing a human DNA database, or altering the genetic code have also gotten mainstream attention. Most of these issues are ongoing debates in both the political realm and the scientific community. On one hand, it helps law enforcement, among other branches of the government, but on the other, privacy of private citizens is also a major factor.
In the movie GATTACA, the genetic material was found in...
As biotechnology rapidly evolves, various issues such as establishing a human DNA database, or altering the genetic code have also gotten mainstream attention. Most of these issues are ongoing debates in both the political realm and the scientific community. On one hand, it helps law enforcement, among other branches of the government, but on the other, privacy of private citizens is also a major factor.
In the movie GATTACA, the genetic material was found in a crime scene. This has already been common practice, and is acceptable in solving crimes and as evidence should someone be put to trial. Scouring crime scenes for genetic materials lead to clues as to who committed what crime. This sample, once analyzed, is compared to a database.
Databases usually exist for people with past criminal records. Genetic samples are obtained, put in a database, and stored for use. This is very useful particularly for repeat offenders. Hence, the use of genetic material to solve a crime, in itself, is considered legal and ethical.
It is a different question when one tries to create a database of every human being's DNA. While it might help law enforcement, there are a number of issues that arise from this. First and foremost is privacy. Genetic material reveals a lot of information - from race to ancestry, and even predisposition to diseases. This could have a potential setback especially in jobs - employers could opt not to hire someone who has a predisposition to get a serious illness. So while it is good to personally know if you have a high risk of getting something and thus work to prevent it, it might not be beneficial for you if other people have this information.
Again, this is an ongoing debate, and only time will tell what happens. Thus far, it is not legal to test DNA samples without the person's consent, unless this genetic material is obtained in a crime scene - this is particularly true for DNA testing companies (see link below).
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