Collecting stem cells from the umbilical cord at birth.

Of all the things that I have ever been called

No one has ever called me authoritarian before, much less a typical authoritarian, as if I am prone to making other authoritarianesque statements. Nonetheless Acky I value your opinion, just as I am sure you value mine. If there was an overwhelmingly (from your perception) positive reason for collecting DNA samples, say for example for some medical reason, would you object to the incidental use of said DNA sample to fight crime in the way I suggested, or would you preclude such use in the small print, so as to protect the innocent criminal?

 

RE: Of all the things that I have ever been called

In my view to suggest that unborn children should have their DNA removed and kept by the Government is an authoritarian statement. Didnt mean to sound rude if it came across that way....

People are not born as criminals, society and its values shapes the vast majority of people for better or worse. To suggest that the majority of people should submit to the State their own DNA to me is abhorrent. What right does the State have to take it? I believe everyone is born free, not as mere 'things' for the State to use and abuse as they see fit. Why should the majority of good people have to give up something intrinsically special to them because of a relatively small bad minority of people?

(thats a long way of saying no!)

 

One reason I'm glad I left the UK...

was when Blair and his cronies started talking about compulsory ID cards for everyone - I know who I am !! And now compulsory entry on a DNA database... A world going mad...

 

I don't mind you being rude

If you feel strongly about something then you have a right to express your opinion. But in an attempt to broaden the debate, instead of taking it down a cul de sac, I asked both you and Dirk, who is also anti the suggestion, a perfectly reasonable question, and neither of you have given me anything that resembles an answer. Rather than go off on one, telling me I'm taking you down a draconian "This is Big Brother" route, I asked what your opinion would be of a DNA database that was positively of value to humankind. If, incidentally this could also be used to solve some crimes where DNA evidence was available, would you still object on the grounds that the potential for harm/misuse outweighed a clearly definable benefit. I'm not having a go, I'm just interested to hear how you would feel about that situation. Somebody went to a lot of trouble to unravel the secrets of DNA, and over time more will be discovered that may reap real benefits. Are you saying that there are no circumstances in which you feel this kind of information should be used?

 

RE: Because

No it's only society protecting its self from the scum that plague the lives of the law abiding citizens.

To have a truely free society freedom must be controled.

No one should have the freedom to do harm to others.

(copper) (clap) (rulez)

 

RE: Of all the things that I have ever been called

What right does the state have to test every baby for HIV but not inform the parents that they are doing so, let alone tell them the result - but that's what happens!

 

RE: One reason I'm glad I left the UK...

Where did you go to?

 

RE: I don't mind you being rude

The answer was in the reply - unless someone gives their express permission for their (or their unborn childs) DNA to be collected or used on a criminal database then the answer should be no. No Government should have the right to take something without permission, the inference being that they own the rights to you and your DNA before you are even born. Its a question of ethics and morals and the right to be born free.

If the parents wants to use their unborn childs DNA to test for genetic diseases which might be inherrited, then that is perfectly fine from my point of view as they have responsibility for their childs upbringing and welfare and that is their CHOICE.

 

RE: Because

Oxymoron.

 

RE: Because

which highlights the issues of trying to live in a theoretical world.

 

Irish Republic.....

I now live on the set of Father Ted...... really, I'm taking notes for a book !!!

 

RE: I don't mind you being rude

Aye, me an'all.

And who administers the database ?

 

RE: I don't mind you being rude

I reckon vodafone or possibly american express.

 

RE: I don't mind you being rude

The Women's Institute. Stout ladies.

 

RE: I don't mind you being rude

Doubts are already being cast on the reliabilty of DNA.

Just a thought, no chance of escape for any Jews in Germany in the 1930's, Russia, Poland etc if all DNA samples had to be given at birth.

 

RE: Of all the things that I have ever been called

Since when?

 

RE: I don't mind you being rude

I'm arguing in favour, because I'm actually a clone of me.

I'm wearing a different jumper though. I killed the real me via the playstation in a 'pretend' on-line battle. which of course had rupert murdoch and bill gates watching, so I killed them as well and they're also me. Only on different diets and hair growth programs.

This will all make sense in 2056.

 

RE: I don't mind you being rude

Too right, in the wrong hands a compulsory DNA database is some evil f*ckwits genocidal dream. There have already been cases of people being wrongly improsoned because their DNA was found on a victim despite the fact they werent responsible for the crime. There's always the possibility of contamination or a mix up in samples or even some corrupt police using DNA to fix someone up who was innocent.

If people wouldnt want this to happen to them, then they shouldnt let it happen to someone else in my view.

 

RE: Because

But using his logic of "No one should have the freedom to harm others" we should just lock everyone up, just in case". Minority Report is closer than we think! And Tom Cruise is a tw*t.

 

Agreed

Tom Cruise is a tw*t.

But sometimes what we have to do is take a leap of faith. We could jump up and down and stomp our feet and scream "it's not fair" because we've read a number of theories or special leaked documents off the internet or met someone who said it's a conspiracy to turn us all into stepford wives or something - or we could open our eyes and look at the mess we're already and try and address it in a system and society that is obsessed with quick fix solutions. You and I know they don't work in the long run, but if everyone wants to see quick results then they'll have to take risks.

If you think government policies are implemented solely by the elected officials then you're very much mistaken. Society is as corrupt from the ground up as it is from the top down.