DNA fingerprinting, also referred to as DNA profiling, has nothing to do with fingerprints at all. It is the practice of collecting DNA material, such as hair or blood, and storing the information in a data bank. This is used to identify people in future crimes that they may be associated with. Many people have raised eyebrows about this, does it violate our personal rights to data store our DNA? There are both pros and cons associated with DNA fingerprinting, let’s explore what they are.
The Pros of DNA Fingerprinting
Solving Crimes
Identification is made much easier with the practice of DNA fingerprinting, this is especially true for solving crimes. Instead of having to hope for a match in the already existing databases, it is a guarantee that if DNA is found at a crime scene, they will know who it belongs to.
Reversing Wrongful Convictions
Many people are convicted on circumstantial evidence that are, in fact, innocent of the crimes they are accused of. With DNA fingerprinting, the real culprits can be found so that the people wrongfully imprisoned may be freed of their charges.
The Cons of DNA Fingerprinting
Violation of Privacy
Many people strongly believe that the use of DNA fingerprinting to store identifiable information about citizens is a violation of privacy and our civil liberties.
Strong Sway Over Juries
DNA evidence is huge when it comes to jury trials. It gives, what most people believe, undeniable evidence to convict a person. This could be used in many negative ways, including the planting of DNA evidence at crime scenes.
Profiling
DNA material holds quite a bit of information about us. The way we look, our genetics, diseases we may have, and many other things. This could be used in multiple negative ways by corporations, potential employers, and other organizations to profile and discriminate before even meeting us.
Against Our Will
If mandatory DNA fingerprinting where to be implemented, that would mean it would be done to everybody, with no exceptions. Baby’s that are born would have a DNA sample collected at the hospital right after they where born, giving them no option to the matter.
