Possible lead in the Jo Yeates's murder.

[anotheoldgit]

It has been reported that saliva which may have belonged to Jo Yeates's killer has been discovered on her body.

Is this now a good reason why there should not be a nationwide DNA bank?

If the answer is no, then why not?

[anotheoldgit]

LoftyLottie

/// Usually given by people who have no idea of the implications of a compulsory nationwide DNA Bank.///

So you do have knowledge of the implications then Lottie?

/// Personally, I am very concerned about such a system. ///

That is your prerogative, but please don't say that others who have no concerns, have no idea of the implications of a of a compulsory nationwide DNA bank.

It's all a matter of opinion.

[IggyB]

yes make the government in charge of a really complicated database that could be used to help decide our very freedom - they have a proven track record on looking after sensitive data and not misusing it (or losing it).

And a few years down the line maybe the next government of the day might decide to use the data for other means - maybe they could genetically screen the population to find those people carrying undesirable genetic traits, with the advances in genetic knowledge maybe we could discover that criminality is linked to a certain gene and then we could remove those people from the population before they have a chance to blight our perfect community? Or on a smaller scale why not screen the population for health defects and then charge them more tax as they will no doubt become a burden on society - that why the good honest healthy people won't have to support those weaklings. Or why not screen the population and then use the data to decide who has the most disireable genetic characteristics and then only allow them to breed???

I wouldn't be comfortable with the idea of a being forced to provide my genetic information to the government not because i have anything to hide but because we can't be certain what the information would be used for in the future.

The problem with providing vast amounts of information to the government is that

[Newscruiser]

This is exactly my point Pixi and Iggyb. We all make mistakes when we are younger that we regret and wish we could turn back time and change when we're older but this would be a step onto a whole new level with implications that could effect not just you but your future generations.

[anotheoldgit]

I just can't understand it, we don't live in some sort of 'Banana Republic' Police State.

We all know that our Government is the most tolerant in the world, why should they suddenly change just because they have their hands on our DNAs