As technologies advance, more and more problems seem to come about. Critics say some of the newest advances in science are causing people to play God, invade people’s privacy, or even own parts of human bodies. There has always been great controversy over new scientific discoveries. People do not want to change traditions or beliefs that that have been part of a culture for generations. DNA databases are one of these new scientific breakthroughs. A DNA database is a government database of DNA profiles of citizens. These databases are used by law enforcement officials to solve crimes. Many people are for continued use of the DNA catalogs to solve sexual assault and rape crimes. However, there are also some cons to their use. Once complete, the databases will be used to profile numerous innocent people. Once a gene is located that can be traced to committing crimes, it will not be long before the government is playing big brother. People for the DNA databases are comforted by the safety it guarantees while people opposed to them are concerned with their right to privacy.

A pro to the DNA database is the number of crimes it helps solve. In the United Kingdom, where they have a database in place, DNA testing has been credited with solving up to 60 percent of major old crimes. It is also being praised because it can free the innocent and wrongly convicted.

People against using the DNA database are worried about the abuse of it, and the possible constitutional violation. Many are worried that unauthorized persons will be able to access the database if it does not have proper safeguards. It is believed that genetic discrimination will occur. Life insurance companies could access the database and raise premiums based on a person’s susceptibility to certain diseases.

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/law/lwsch/journals/bciclr/24_2/05_TXT.htm