DNA tracing has been a helpful way of identifying an unknown person. As a matter of fact, this advantage is being used in forensic investigations which will completely recognize the identity of an individual when being logged in the database. However, this brings about risk in the privacy and confidentiality of an individual. Therefore, DNA database should not be used for commercial purposes.
A DNA profile,which is stored in database, is not only used to identify a single individual, but it also allows to track close relatives using the information which can be located in a single DNA sample. Unfortunately, there are still no laws and regulations in the international scene which will protect the rights of the individuals regarding the access of the detailed information. As such, the disclosure of DNA information can be crucial for the safety and security of these individuals (Gene Watch).
Tracing the DNA of an individual is truly helpful nowadays especially when it comes to identification of that individual. Several DNA databases are now available for each region, and this is the main source of the people who needed the DNA information for their own purposes. However, according to Gene Watch (1), the laws and regulations regarding the accessibility of the DNA data varies among different places, and as such, people can access these data to different extent as compared with the others. As such, this advantage can be used wisely by other people in order to favor their own purposes. Unfortunately, this accessibility can cause a major disadvantage to those people whose DNA information are being obtained, especially in their privacy and security. As such, the accessibility of the DNA databases should be only restricted at a certain limit, and must not be used for commercial purposes.
The DNA database can be traced back in the year 1984, when the police used blood samples to obtain DNA information. Even though the technology is not yet fully developed at that time, many experts proposed its use for such important tasks like the identification of the crime suspects. In order to pursue this objective, the government passed the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, which allows the authority to gather DNA samples from the database without the need to ask permission from the doctors (Gene Watch). Unfortunately, this freedom is now being used not only on important fields such as forensic science, but also on commercial and business purposes, as long as the authorities have the option to use the database. This poses risks to people which can reach up to the nationwide and global scale, especially when the accessibility becomes out of control.
DNA Database Rights and Linkages
The first thing to worry about DNA database is the fact that the databases are at a national level, and these databases are used by several institutions, both the private and the public (Rosen). As a result, the DNA information can be passed from one institution to another. According to Rosen, these information, because of the fact that it can be transferred to another institution, private institutions in other countries have the ability to buy the rights of the DNA database, as long as they have the sufficient funds to do so. Because of this, the privacy of the individuals included in the sold database will be accessible to the company for their own purposes. Even if the intentions of these companies will not harm the security of the individuals, the transaction is considered to be highly unethical due to its nature and the risks it poses. Moreover, because such negotiations can happen, it can only be implied that the DNA databases are linked with one another, from region to region (Rosen). This only intensifies the risks that are previously stated. It only means that other institutions which have connection with the company that bought the DNA database, can also possibly access the information, as long as the company allowed such act. Moreover, the database of the DNA profile is universal, as there are linkages which connect the several database of different regions. This will enable other people, such as those in the private companies, to access the database. Moreover, there are existing transcations in which large companies actually bought the database, and as a result, these people have technically ‘owned’ the profile of the different individuals (Rosen 48). Such scenario is scary to the point of leaking the information which are supposed to be hidden and secured by their rightful owners.
However, such actions can result to the violation of the Fourth Amendment, which focuses on the personal security of the individuals. According to Kaye (1101), such information is considered to be permanent identity record, and this implies the authentication of the information. Because the company and its other connection can access such data, the violation of the Fourth Amendment is highly possible, even if the transaction of buying the DNA database is legal, Reasons such as unconsented research and other undocumented pursuit of information are not valid, and therefore, can be appealed to courts and legal proceedings (Kaye 1101).
Mishandling of Information
Aside from the external linkages of the DNA database, the added risk of excessive dependence on the DNA information is the danger of mishandling the database, as it creates more opportunity to be leaked or breached by an outside invasion. According to Goldstein, there are several cases, over fifty, in which DNA information was reportedly to have uploaded mistakenly on the database. This can be considered as a major oversight not only because a potential prospect has already escaped the grasp of the authorities (Goldstein), but also the fact that an unknown record might be included in the database. It is unknown in the individual’s point of view; meaning, the individual’s private information was already included without the knowledge of that individual, and that will already pose a risk, considering that DNA databases can be commercialized.
The possible mishandling of the information will result to spreading of confidential information. DNA profiles are currently stored in a database. When a DNA profile is not useful anymore for any commercial activity, it is not yet removed immediately. According to Wallace (S28), some profiles last up to five years before being completely removed. Furthermore, the responsible handlers of information are not assured to be of safety at all times. As such, it is a high risk that other individuals can access the information without consent, and makes the information owner unaware of the situation (Wallace S28).
DNA sampling is not perfectly accurate method of determining an individual’s identity. DNA samples can be found everywhere, and during times of unfortunate events, such as crimes, the DNA of the guilty and the innocent are already mixed with one another (Genewatch). Therefore, there are possibilities that the innocent might be accused because of the presence of his DNA. The guilty will be covered, and the innocent will suffer.
Moreover, the fact that databases are uploaded online also adds to the risks of being invaded by hackers other forms of cyber attacks (Goodman & Hessel). In relation with the previous claim of commercialization, prices are being tagged with the DNA information. Currently, the cost of DNA sequencing reaches up to 2500 pounds, which means that commercial establishments might use DNA database for business purposes (Goodman & Hessel). The worst case scenario might be the connection between hackers and businessmen. This partnership can be fatal to the security and privacy of the individuals, particularly on the online scale. This theory can be proven true in the future because the technology is constantly developed over the years; the genetic experts continue their research in the molecular scale, thus, more DNA information has been uploaded (Goldstein & Hessel). However, if the mishandlers are not capable enough, the uploaded information might be used by the opportunists for their own good.
Abuse and Dependence
The use of DNA database for commercial purposes is considered to be an excessive dependence on the information. However, this will only worsen when the public learned that such information is not highly restricted to the few. The nature of investigation in the police department might be highly dependent on DNA samples and databases, because the people there knew that the information can be easily accessed. Instead of using a more practical and less expensive methods, the police department might resort to DNA sampling even in the lower levels of crimes, thus, losing their dependence in their own skills and abilities (Douglas-Bowers). According to the dependency theory, these actions suggested ‘underdevelopment,’ and like the rich countries taking advantage over the poorer ones, the authority takes advantage over accessibility of the DNA database (Ferraro). The underdevelopment stated earlier pertains to the abilities of the authority to act in times of emergency and during investigations. The abusive use of DNA database will eventually deteriorate the skills of these people over the period of time as long as the information does not have strong restrictions
Public Trust
Despite these dangers, DNA database has been helpful in the modern era, particularly in improving the justice system of the world, as well as in the advancement of medical technology (Rosen). More criminals have been apprehended ever since, and diseases have been detected easier than the previous methods. As mentioned earlier, the use of DNA database is proven to be significant in different areas such as research and forensics. Experts continue to discover new findings about the molecular structure of the human beings, and the government continue to provide an accurate identification of troublemakers and criminals through the use of DNA database. However, this can only be proven legitimate if the data are strongly secured from possible cyber attacks, and if the handler carries well the responsibilities of protecting the confidential data. Unfortunately, this requires a huge attention and focus on the role. Otherwise, the public trust will be gravely compromised, because of the possible consequences of negligence. With the security and the privacy of the individuals on the line, these people cannot help but to worry when they learn that the accessibility of the DNA database is relatively easy when it comes to the confidentiality of the information.
As of the time, there are several concerns about the DNA database, in which different individuals experienced several cases of inequality when other people accessed their DNA profiles. Some of them are treated like they are criminals, and some of them experienced false accusations (Wallace, Jackson, Gruber, & Thibedeau 58). Not all the people included in the database are criminals. In fact, only one percent on the lists are legitimate criminals and as a result, the database is being used in wrong purposes, and even as a way to take advantage of people who know nothing about the purpose of the database. As such, the DNA database is considered to be a inappropriate reference of information about people, especially when looking at their records and other related information (Wallace, Jackson, Gruber, & Thibedeau 58).
The public will become reluctant to cooperate due to the cases of accusations of the innocent people. In connection with the previous claim, people will tend to lose trust to the different proceedings which include DNA sampling. The misjudgement of the authorities will most likely contribute to the wrong delivery of justice, and these cases are prominent in the current society (Wallace, Jackson, Gruber, & Thibedeau 59). As a result, the public will become reluctant to the results of the DNA testing, and because the DNA database has no means to separate the profiles of the innocent and the guilty (Wallace, Jackson, Gruber, & Thibedeau 62), the innocent people might be apprehended of the things they did not commit.
Conclusion
DNA database has provided people substantial information which can be used in important tasks of improving the current conditions of the society. However, this technological development is considered as a double-edged sword because the regulations regarding its accessibility remains unchanged and does not implement heavy restrictions. As a result, the public might suffer from negative consequences such as leakage, mishandling of information, dependence, which will lead to the loss of truss to the system. Fortunately, this can be prevented by presenting the individual right to be secured at all times against any invasion, as stated by the Fourth Amendment, and to express the need to restrict DNA database from being used in commercial purposes.
The use of DNA database for commercial purposes poses a high risk for security and privacy of the individuals. Such risks include mishandling of the database, wrong identification, and the loss of public trust. Despite the benefits, the huge network of DNA database all over the world proved to be dangerous for the whole population. Unless the international justice will do something about the gathering DNA profiles without consent, leakage of confidential information will be possible at all times.
Works Cited
Douglas-Bowers, Devon. “Challenging the Liberty: The Danger of DNA Databases.” The Hampton Institute (2013). Web. 5 August 2016.
Ferraro, Vincent. “Dependency Theory: An Introduction," in The Development Economics Reader, ed. Giorgio Secondi (2008). London: Routledge. Web. 5 August 2016.
Gene Watch. “DNA Databases and Human Rights.” Genewatch UK Briefing (2011). Print.
Gene Watch. “A Brief Legal History of the NDNAD.” Genewatch UK. Web. 5 August 2016.
Goldstein, Joseph. “Mishandling of DNA Evidence Is Found in Over 50 Cases at Crime Lab.” The New York Times (2013). Web. 5 August 2016.
Goodman, Marc, and Hessel, A. (2013). “The bio-crime prophecy: DNA hacking the biggest opportunity since cyber attacks.” Wired (2013). Web. 5 August 2016.
Kaye, David. “A Fourth Amendment Theory for Arrestee DNA and Other Biometric Databases.” Journal of Constitutional Law 15.4 (2013): 1095-1160. Print.
Rosen, Christine. “Liberty, Privacy, and DNA Database.” The New Atlantis 1 (2003). Web. 5 August 2016
Wallace, Helen. “The UK National DNA Database: Balancing crime detection, human rights and privacy.” EMBO Reports 7 (2006): S26-S30. Print.
Wallace, Helen, Jackson, A., Gruber, J., and Thibedeau, A. “Forensic DNA databases–Ethical and legal standards: A global review.” Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences 4.3 (2014): 57-63. Print.
