Ethical Aspects of Human Information Storage and Use - Essay Example

Ethical Aspects of Human Information Storage and Use The primary concern for ethical, legal, and social concerns related to privacy of DNA profile, stored in the database is that it can provide insight into many aspects of a person. Currently, UK maintains the worlds largest Database and using international organizations like the Interpol, can share and exchange the DNA profile of citizens in cases pertaining to crime detection and prevention. Deoxyribonucleic acid that carries genetic information can be used as a means of identification since the DNA within any species and to any individual within that species, is unique, except in the case of identical twin or bone marrow transplant recipients. It can be extracted from organic remains like blood, saliva and hair etc. and is greatly helpful in identify criminals. For the very first time in 1986, DNA profiling was used in criminology and was quickly accepted worldwide. The stored information in the database has been most beneficial in Forensic Science which deals with legal evidence pertaining to crime scene analysis, firearms and ballistics. Forensic pathology or forensic medicine is very useful in finding legal evidence from the victim's body or condition of the body. The DNA databases are recognized by the police as one of the most powerful intelligence tools. The latent fingerprint analysis, have assisted in solving crimes like, murders, rapes, assaults and robberies etc. In response to the growing criticism, the authorities have stressed that the profiles held on files are used for no other purpose than to investigate a crime and it does not contain information about a person's health or appearance. For a law abiding citizen, there should be no reluctance in giving the DAN. But some believe that these can prove highly discriminatory against particular individuals and groups being targeted. Other considerations are that who will prove that the samples will be destroyed and never misused. But the authorities believe that keeping records of the one's who are arrested and never charged, would make it easier for them to arrest someone if they offended in future. Although the DNA of each individual is different, yet both the critics and supporters of its use in forensics agree that at times there can be a lack of standardization of practices and uniformly accepted methods of quality assurance. The main reason for this being the fact that private laboratories, using widely different methods, like the single-locus RFLP, multilocus RFLP and PCR, have begun offering their services to law enforcement agencies. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, the databanks, molecular weight markers match criteria and reporting method. In some courts there have been differences of opinion pertaining to the reliability, acceptability and applicability of various methods, particularly the degree of their specificity or discriminating power. Another reason resulting in this can be the lack of educational, appropriate training and experience of some scientists and technicians who perform these tests, the proficiency tests conducted internally and externally, the interpretations of the results and the approaches to quality assurance. In 1997, the DNA helped scientists clone the very first mammal, a sheep named Dolly, but soon after its announcement a 3-5 year ban was imposed on human reproductive cloning on the basis of ethical, religious and legal implications. From the ethical point of view, human cloning according to some is an offence against God and against nature. According to this argument, reproduction is solely God's domain. But Kerry Lynch Macintosh (2005) explains that the mainstream scientists have become interested in human cloning for research purposes ( research cloning). They believe that human embryos can help them to learn more about genetic diseases, develop pharmaceutical treatments, produce tissues for transplant and assist them in gene therapy. Some scientist also believes that human cloning can help not only infertile men and women, but also lesbians and gays, to conceive children without the introduction of third party sperm or egg donors. The Human Genome Project, related to genetic engineering is trying to understand our genetic makeup with the hope to find a cure for genetic diseases. This new genetics brings with it the ethical issues such as control to genetic information and access to it. Most people believe that no strangers should control or have identifiable DNA samples or genetic information about an individual without the person's authorization and control of their dissemination. Certain groups believe that genetic information has been and can be wrongly used in harming, stigmatizing and discriminating individuals. It can potentially be misused tremendously as genetics transcends medicine and the potential to penetrate many aspects of life which include employment, insurance, finance and education. What proof is there that genetics will not become a weapon for social discrimination. Hence certain groups argue that genetic information should not be collected, stored, analyzed nor disclosed without the authorization of the individual. There should be adequate legal protections for genetic information and uniform rules for collection, storage and the use of DNA samples, and thus protect the privacy of individuals and shield them from discrimination, as in insurance and employment matters, while permitting legitimate medical research. Scholars from around the world have presented religious and ethical views on the subject and agree to the point where its use serves humanity. However, the question as to how far this research can be carried out is still unclear. Human cloning is an issue on which almost everyone is clear that this is God's domain and man dare not cross the limits. With their personal information in the hands of strangers, what people need is assurance that their genetic profiles are in safe hands and will be protected at all costs. Although the use of this information has and will continue to help the law enforcing agencies in tracking the guilty and bringing them to justice, But there have been instances where this information has been misused and this can be controlled, only if there is a fixed standard of carrying out the DNA testing. On the other hand the incorrect use of this information has falsely convicted the innocent at times, and this situation is what disturbs every individual whose genetic information is stored in the databases. Hence it is the moral, ethical and legal responsibility of respective authorities to safeguard the information they store in the databases. Using it for the protection of society from criminal and culprits is no doubt important, so is its use for therapeutic and medical purposes with the consent of the individual. What is important is that it should only be used lawfully, fairly and intelligently. The area of genetic testing is so personal and sensitive that the information held in tissue banks and DNA databases needs to be securely guarded and misusing it should be a punishable offense. It is therefore, the responsibility of authorities to safeguard the legal and social right of its citizens protect this highly confidential information entrusted to them by the public. Bibliography Bamshad, M. J. & Olson, S. E (2003) Does Race Exist [ Internet ] Scientific American, http://www.racesci.org/in_media/does_race_exist.htm [Accessed 20 March 2006] Fields of Fingerprints: DNA Testing for Crops http://filebox.vt.edu/cals/cses/chagedor/fingerprint.html Human Genome Project Information. Go to the website here: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/forensics.shtml Illich, I. (1976) Medical Nemesis: The Expropriation of Health, Bentam Books, New York Macintosh, K. L. (2005) Illegal Beings: Human Clones and the Law, Cambridge University Press, New York McGee, G. (2004) Beyond Genetics, A User's Guide to DNA [Internet] Harper Collins. Available from Read More