National DNA Database
Posted by John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, at 15:17, Thu 28 February 2008:
The police hold a database of the DNA taken from people who are taken into police custody. Information from this database has been used to resolve some horrific crimes. There has recently been calls that the DNA database should store the DNA of all UK residents. I am keen to hear your views on this.
Comments
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Posted by John Scott, 18:25, Thu 28 February 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
I have no problems with the question, as long as it is used in the proper context. I have nothing to hide, therefore I feel everyone should be on the database.
Posted by Yvonne Brookes, 18:28, Thu 28 February 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
Yes I think it is a good idea for all uk residents to be on the database.
Posted by Alan Scott, 06:48, Fri 29 February 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
I have no problem with this as long as safeguards are in place to stop any data being lost or misused, any person with nothing to hide would I am sure agree to this
Posted by Chris Martin, 14:20, Fri 29 February 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." - Benjamin Franklin.
I think it is fine to take and keep DNA samples for anyone who has been convicted of a crime. Those questioned but not charged, or found to be innocent, should have have their DNA samples destroyed.
As an IT expert, I do not trust any government agency to design and run a large-scale IT system. CSA database/NPfIT anyone?
Once the genie is out of the bottle, you can't put it back in. Even if the system were accurate and well administered, and even if the whole nation agreed on it's stated merits, who is to stop subsequent changes (scope-creep) and abuse.
Given current issues regarding the loss of sensitive data from government agencies, are we really convinced that this data won't fall into the hands of insurance companies and pension providers? Or other, more nefarious groups, who would appreciate the entire nation's biological identities?