Why should you provide a sample of your DNA?

[10ClarionSt]

If anyone is arrested these days, they have to provide a sample of their DNA. Why should they have to do this? Your DNA is probably the most personal thing about you. It IS you! You should only have to give a sample if you are found guilty of a crime. Until then, you should not be obliged to provide it. In this country, you are not guilty until proven otherwise. I would refuse to give it if I were in that position. What would you do?

[Scotman84]

So how are they going to prove you guilty (OR INDEED INNOCENT) without DNA - do you have a specific problem about giving DNA? In any case - it's the law !!!

[counsellor]

i think everyone should give a sample at birth the crime rates would certainly go down!

[Catso]

Surely, it's only the same as fingerprints, only a more modern verions? It's a proof of identity.

Don't you still have to give fingerprints when arrested?

But I do think both fingerprints and DNA should be deleted if you're found not guilty.

[kempie]

http://www.genewatch.org/sub.shtml?als[cid]=53 9478

[Pippa68]

I agree with counsellor. Not sure about the crime rate changing, however it wouold make things a lot easier when it came to solving them.

I would gladly have my DNA on file.

[RATTER15]

If you are arrested for a crime, I think it is right that a sample of DNA is taken along with fingerprints, I have given both, after all it has helped put many rapists, paedophiles, burglars and murderers behind bars. How can any innocent person object to that?

[kempie]

A far more worrying concern is to what other procedures samples of DNA collected by the National DNA Database (NDNAD) are subjected.

A series of Freedom of Information requests made by GeneWatch (see link above) to the NDNAD's Board revealed that DNA samples are being used for controversial genetic research without consent and that a commercial company has kept a "mini-database", which includes its own copies of DNA profiles and other information.