Western Australia DNA database - The last step towards big b

[pseudo christ]

Earlier today i heard about the Western Australian Government taking compulsary DNA samples from prisoners thanks to new legislation. This legislation allowes the police to take DNA samples from suspects, convicts and the like. With these samples they are building a database of "criminal" DNA. What i fear most is the fact that they can take DNA from suspects, which means that even if the suspect is later found innocent the DNA is still on this database. The whole thing frightens me, this is one of the greatests invasions of privacy one can commit, but it's ok because it's law!? Fuck the police and the government, i dont know what the laws are like for other states, but i belive they are establishing a nation wide database of "criminal" DNA. From what i have heard they are moving to take DNA samples from new-borns! I am disgusted at this attack on our privacy. One step closer to a police state in australia...especialy after the anti-terrorism laws...

[Ian]

Dude! You thinks that's bad? Did you know it would only take a legislation for them to get access to all the DNA of people born in Australia in the last 40 or so years because they take samples from the heel of a babies foot to test for a disease and everyone of these is preserved in a building in Ryde, Sydney. I was told this by a Forensic scientist who has seen it.

[Angie]

There's been a number of medical breakthroughs happening lately regarding DNA. I wouldn't protest about a database with my strands upon it, if I received the ability to give my permission first. Obviously being a criminal is a different situation, but the breakthroughs still remain an issue worth considering.

There are varying levels of privacy to take into consideration. DNA is what I would personally consider a more minimal one.

[Stormin Norman]

Let me simply say, that DNA databases are in fact a threatening reality. For example let's say that you wanted to create a society comprised of what you deem to be the master race. With the information stored in a DNA database and a cross-reference of the names and addresses of the people, to whom the DNA belongs, it would be possible to weed out any weak links in your society. For instance, people with a predisposition for certain diseases or of a race that the powers that be find disagreable, would face possible massacre. More realistic in today's society remains the threat of insurance companies accessing information supplied by signature DNA. What do you suppose an employer or insurance company would do if they knew you or one of your family members would develope cancer? How about designer children? There is something to be said about the random chance, which life currently offers. Angie, you ought to rethink your position on the matter, because the abuses that come with DNA sampling could make Hitler's plan look like child's play.

[abstractmentality]

i actually had a class sponsered debate on this topic two years ago for my us history class.
as SN points out, things such as a possibility of falling ill to a disease that is present in your genes can put you out of a job, as i remember it did to a few people two years ago (in the news a bit). just the possibility of falling ill prevented them, even though its not for sure.
angie, im interested in the new medical breakthroughs you speak of. when i did the debate, i was against it, and one of my groups major issues was that the current testing was not always accurate, as a few cases that we had clearly showed. do you have a link or something that i can get some more information.
i have also heard that you can have a DNA database to test specifically for indentity purposes only, and can not find out anything beyond that, anybody have info on this? that may change my opinion on the issue, as well as the medical breakthroughs angie speaks of.

(Edited by abstractmentality at 6:44 pm on July 8, 2002)

[Angie]

Quote from Stormin Norman:
Angie, you ought to rethink your position on the matter, because the abuses that come with DNA sampling could make Hitler's plan look like child's play.From a corrupt society, with incorrect and selfish morals, come those instances you speak of. A society made up of many demented individuals which don't give a crap about others - enough to carry through with such misuse of the DNA strands.

Therefore, if society screws up and people start being destroyed via such means as their DNA, then by all means - feel free to blame yourself. Feel free to be scared of it. After all, it is your child - you help it to breathe, Capitalist, by supporting it.

I'm glad to see you pointed out a few of the many failures to be found within your world, to a community of Socialists, on their own ground. You have reinforced our cause.

(Edited by Angie at 10:34 pm on July 9, 2002)

[suffianr]

DNA from babies?? That's a little mad, isn't it? Jesus, can it get any worse??