DNA Databases Violate Human Rights

This week, we learned that UK police have DNA records on more than 1 million innocent people. Far more than what was thought. And if Genetics and Health readers are anything to go by, people don’t like having their DNA stored in government databases.

Poll Question: Should national DNA databases contain EVERYONE’S DNA?

The majority of Genetics and Health respondents (28 out of 54) believed that DNA databases are a violation of human rights when they contain the DNA of innocent people. But a surprising number were ok with it if DNA collection were voluntary (18).

The results were:

• Yes, if it’s voluntary – 33%
• Yes, if should be mandatory – 9%
• No, it’s a waste of resources – 6%
• No, it’s a violation of human rights – 52%

Think government officials are listening to its citizens? Me thinks not.

Tags: uk, united kingdom, britain, police, dna databases, genetics, genes, dna, crime, criminals