Sun, 27 May 2007

Arrest innocent and guilty alike, get their DNA swabs, create their entire genome sequence

Michael Ashburner, a geneticist Professor of Biology at Cambridge University and former joint-head of the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), points out:

'Anyone who commits relatively minor offences can have their DNA taken and analysed. At present, the main use of this process is to create a DNA fingerprint that can be used to identify that individual. But soon we will be able to create an entire genome sequence of that individual from a swab or blood sample. We will end up knowing everything about their genes. In the end, we could have millions of people on a database and know every single genetic secret of each person. That has to be a very worrying prospect.'

Some related links:

• NDNAD - one annual report and 162,200 duff records
• One hundred and fifteen exceptional cases last year
• Forensic use of bioinformation and human rights
• Turning Britain into a nation of suspects - 3
• Brent Concil calls on the Police to destroy DNA records of innocents
• Should the Police keep your DNA forever?

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