Introduction
Several countries around the world maintain a database dedicated to storing DNA profiles of individuals. The primary purpose of a DNA database is to ease the identification process of suspects during criminal investigations. Despite the intention to do good, the concept of a DNA database is vulnerable to a number of complications and repercussions, affecting the government, general public and crime detectives.
Biological Significance
DNA Profiling is a forensic process utilised to identify individuals by the characteristics of their DNA. It differentiates from other forensic identification processes because it remains the same overtime, unlike fingerprints and has a higher accuracy than biometric iris scanners. The first methods used for DNA profiling for finding out genetics involved restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The method involves DNA to be collected from cells and cut into small pieces using a restriction enzyme. This generates thousands of DNA fragments of differing sizes and then separated on the basis of size using gel electrophoresis. However, this technique is …show more content…
The invasion of privacy and forced participation is associated with databases containing DNA profiles. There is an uncertainty of where the intimate information is stored and whether or not it gets used without permission. The information from a DNA profile could be utilised by stalkers in order to track individuals and their relatives through a form of biological tagging or ‘bio surveillance’. DNA of an individual is left everywhere, therefore it can be utilised in order to attempt to establish where they have been (Forensic Genetics Policy Initiative, 2016). Furthermore, health insurance companies may be able to access the confidential medical history of an individual by analysing their DNA profile in order to refuse
Several countries around the world maintain a database dedicated to storing DNA profiles of individuals. The primary purpose of a DNA database is to ease the identification process of suspects during criminal investigations. Despite the intention to do good, the concept of a DNA database is vulnerable to a number of complications and repercussions, affecting the government, general public and crime detectives.
Biological Significance
DNA Profiling is a forensic process utilised to identify individuals by the characteristics of their DNA. It differentiates from other forensic identification processes because it remains the same overtime, unlike fingerprints and has a higher accuracy than biometric iris scanners. The first methods used for DNA profiling for finding out genetics involved restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The method involves DNA to be collected from cells and cut into small pieces using a restriction enzyme. This generates thousands of DNA fragments of differing sizes and then separated on the basis of size using gel electrophoresis. However, this technique is …show more content…
The invasion of privacy and forced participation is associated with databases containing DNA profiles. There is an uncertainty of where the intimate information is stored and whether or not it gets used without permission. The information from a DNA profile could be utilised by stalkers in order to track individuals and their relatives through a form of biological tagging or ‘bio surveillance’. DNA of an individual is left everywhere, therefore it can be utilised in order to attempt to establish where they have been (Forensic Genetics Policy Initiative, 2016). Furthermore, health insurance companies may be able to access the confidential medical history of an individual by analysing their DNA profile in order to refuse