Should DNA profiling (fingerprinting) be administered to people at birth?
DNA profiling or now known as STR (Short Tandem Repeat) analysing is the process used to manipulate genes from both paternal and maternal genes received at child birth to build a ‘fingerprint’. These ‘fingerprints’ are unique to one organism because humans have different genes (genotypes) that code for their phenotype (physical appearance). STR analyses has many uses, including paternity testing, forensic sciences, and identification of individuals. Even though STR analysis has many uses, one of the major ethical issues concerning this process is privacy. This is because if it were able for public use, then it could affect what types of jobs an individual can get and
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The main concern that people have about the data base is that it may grow from just holding information on convicted criminals to a wider group of people. Because the is a possibility many people are concerned about privacy and that this information can be used by insurance companies to prevent coverage on people. This is because these companies can have access to the people’s genetic disorders. In 2012 due to these concerns, the UK passed a Protection of Freedoms Bill where, 1,766,000 DNA profiles taken from innocent adults and children were deleted from the database, along with 1,672,000 fingerprint records. In addition to this, 7,753,000 DNA samples (480,000 from children) containing sensitive personal biological material were destroyed. Another negative point is the possibility of DNA manipulation getting out of hand. DNA fingerprinting could lead to the production of 'Designer Babies' where if the DNA fingerprint of an unborn baby does not suit the parent’s life style. Therefore, if further developments to DNA fingerprinting is made the parents can change their babies’ DNA to produce ‘Designer Babies’ which better suits them. If designer babies are allowed to be made it could lead to a population of genes of these babies that could lead super