tagged w/ DNA Database
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A new level of invasive screening is scheduled for airports this summer: a portable DNA scanner to conduct on-site, real-time genetic testing.
This technology is being implemented under the cover of combating human trafficking, illegal immigration, and finding missing persons, but Richard Seldon of NetBio, creator of the scanners, clearly states that "DNA information has the potential to become part of the fabric of day-to-day life." In an interview with Katie Drummond who broke this story for The Daily, Seldon envisions additional applications in emergency rooms, food safety tests, and law enforcement.
http://www.activistpost.com/2011/02/dna-genetic-patdown-introduced-to.htmlA new level of invasive screening is scheduled for airports this summer: a portable... more
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As the elections loom, should we vote? Who should we vote for? What about those of us too young to vote? Do principles matter or should we make the best of what is on offer? In Question Dine, a new WORLDbytes series, parliamentary candidates and campaigners get closer to the electorate in their own dining room, or local cafe. Over supper or a cuppa, Volunteers grill prospective MP’s, not literally, but the discussion is certainly heated. Watch it and leave us your thoughts and questions for our next grilling on the comments page.As the elections loom, should we vote? Who should we vote for? What about those of us... more
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The F.B.I., with a DNA database of 6.7 million profiles, expects to accelerate its growth rate from 80,000 new entries a year to 1.2 million by 2012 — a 17-fold increase. F.B.I. officials say they expect DNA processing backlogs — which now stand at more than 500,000 cases — to increase.
Law enforcement officials are vastly expanding their collection of DNA to include millions more people who have been arrested or detained but not yet convicted. The move, intended to help solve more crimes, is raising concerns about the privacy of petty offenders and people who are presumed innocent.
Until now, the federal government genetically tracked only convicts. But starting this month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will join 15 states that collect DNA samples from those awaiting trial and will collect DNA from detained immigrants — the vanguard of a growing class of genetic registrants.The F.B.I., with a DNA database of 6.7 million profiles, expects to accelerate its... more
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The European Court of human rights has ruled that the UK keeping DNA records of innocent people on a criminal register is a breach of article eight of the Human Rights Convention which protects private and family life. Britain's police forces may be forced to destroy the DNA details they have on hundreds of thousands of people they have already collected.
Not surprisingly, nanny state officials like Jacqui Smith and police chiefs around the country were disappointed by the ruling and warned that it would be harder to investigate crimes without the DNA details.
Thank you European court for forcing officials in this country to make the distinction between criminals and innocent people.The European Court of human rights has ruled that the UK keeping DNA records of... more
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Officials in an Israeli city have come up with an innovative way of tracking dog owners who allow their pets to foul the streets - DNA analysis.
Authorities in Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv, are setting up a special DNA database of local dogs. They will use the data to match dogs' droppings to owners - and punish those who do not clean up after their pets. While those who keep the streets clear will be rewarded, owners who fail to scoop the poop could face fines.
"My goal is to get the residents involved and tell them that together, we can make our environment clean," Tika Bar-On, the city's chief veterinarian, told Reuters news agency. Owners were reacting positively to the six-month trial programme, she told the agency, because they wanted their streets to be clean.
At the moment providing a DNA sample was up to individual dog owners, but the city was considering making it compulsory, she added. Failure to clear up dog mess is not confined to Petah Tikva. In the UK, some councils have resorted to using CCTV and undercover patrols to identify offenders in particular trouble spots. Other have given away free bags to encourage owners to pick up after their dogs. Officials in an Israeli city have come up with an innovative way of tracking dog... more
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Young Britons are being 'criminalised for life' by the expansion of the national DNA database, according to research released today. Britain has the largest DNA database in the world, holding the genetic records of more that four million people. It's estimated that 25% of those people have never been found guilty of any offence. AND more than 100,000 of these are children. The Human Genetics Commission's research found evidence of widespread public alarm and hostility over the massive scale of the database. Currently, genetic material is taken from all people arrested by police, regardless of whether they disturbed the peace or murdered somebody, and there is no distinction on how long that material is held.
"Detailed consultation on the database by the commission, the Government's genetic watchdog, found the public believed samples provided by the innocent should be destroyed and those of people convicted of lesser offences removed after a few years.
The damning verdict was delivered by panels in Birmingham and Glasgow. After studying evidence about the database they called for an array of reforms designed to reassure the public that it would not be abused. They concluded that the records of children convicted of minor offences should be removed after a short period... The panel members unanimously supported a nationwide publicity campaign to raise awareness of the database, using the internet, posters, leaflets and school visits."Young Britons are being 'criminalised for life' by the expansion of the... more
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