Comments on: Genetic Genealogy, Public Databases, and Criminals

By: Genetic Future: My genes made me do it

Genetic Future: My genes made me do it — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:28:26 +0000

[...] susceptibility genes and may thus be less inclined to re-offend?Update: The Genetic Genealogist has a great tangentially-related post on forensic genetics. Subscribe to Genetic Future. Posted by Daniel at 1:12 [...]

By: national tool

national tool — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:29:42 +0000

[...] databases or identify relatives as criminals. Here is a summary of the issue from a recent Columbiahttp://www.thegeneticgenealogist.com/2008/04/23/genetic-genealogy-public-databases-and-criminals/’ershaad’ Launches First of its Kind Website and UAE National Recruitment Guide ZawyaDubai, 22 April [...]

By: Blaine Bettinger

Blaine Bettinger — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:48:18 +0000

FYI - Here is information from the Genetics & Public Policy Center about a recent symposium held by the FBI about familial DNA searching.

By: Tim Agazio

Tim Agazio — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:43:23 +0000

Blaine,

You are right, there is no correct answer. In the case of the Washington Post story, whose privacy right had primacy…the daughter’s, or the public’s right to be safe from the BTK killer? This one seems like an easy choice, but the uses of this kind of DNA test won’t always be as clear cut as in the BTK case…this kind of stuff gives me a headache to think about it…

Tim

Tim Agazio’s last blog post..3rd Edition of “Who Are These People?”

By: Blaine Bettinger

Blaine Bettinger — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:36:57 +0000

Tim – I think this bothers many people. And perhaps even more troubling, can this sample you provided for a worst-case scenario be used to identify a criminal who is genetically related to you? Or is it better to identify criminals than to always ensure genetic privacy? These questions are so difficult because there is no obvious right or wrong answer.

By: Tim Agazio

Tim Agazio — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:28:12 +0000

Blaine,

While I’m glad this type of DNA test got a monster off the streets, the privacy issues involved are a critical part of this capability. The fact that a DNA specimen I submit for a specific purpose can be used by the government without my knowledge is of great concern to me. For example, as a soldier, I was required to submit a DNA sample for the purpose of identifying me should I be killed in battle and my body was completely unrecognizable. Now it appears this DNA sample that the government still has 3 years after my retirement can be used without my knowledge for other than the purpose it was intended…this bothers me…

Tim

Tim Agazio’s last blog post..3rd Edition of “Who Are These People?”

By: Daily Cells - Daily Top Blog Posts on Genetics - Powered by SocialRank

Daily Cells - Daily Top Blog Posts on Genetics - Powered by SocialRank — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

2.Genetic Genealogy, Public Databases, and Criminalswww.thegeneticgenealogist.com5 commentsSocialRank The Washington Post has an article entitled â€œFrom DNA of Family, a Tool to Make Arrestsâ€ about using DNA obtained from family members to search DNA databases or identify relatives as