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Well, I didn't think it would become reality THAT quickly, but back on January 1, 2008 I predicted a possible scenario of storing your DNA at birth in my article 'Ten Strange Things That Could Happen to You Using Future Technology'.
It's Thing Number 7 in the article. Let's just hope some of the others don't come true as well.
This article you are reading today is really an extension of JPark's great seed, Bush Signs Bill to Take Newborns' DNA'. Hard to believe such a bill got past the laughing stage, but it is no joke, and the punch line stinks.
There have been some arguments for the collection of DNA at birth, such as helping to match up organ donors or checking newborns for their genetic disposition to certain diseases and defects. It's all very noble, and if such a collection system were ideal, then I could maybe see the sense of it.
But it isn't ideal. Far from it. By establishing such a database, you are giving Big Brother the ultimate background information about you. The potential for abuse is staggering and the temptation to eventually twist the DNA database into uses you haven't even dreamed of yet would be too much to resist for ANY government.
I predicted in another article once that the control of information would become the most powerful force on the planet. In other words, if governments controlled all the information, they would be the most powerful entities. If corporations controlled it, then THEY would be the most powerful. If YOU controlled your information...well, you can see where this is going.
Why is it dangerous to allow governments to establish DNA databases without your consent?
Insurance companies and credit bureaus could make choices about you based solely on your genetic makeup. Governments who create their own DNA databases could use it to practice discrimination against you. We won't even discuss what entities like the CIA or the Justice Department would do with such a database. They're probably popping the champagne corks right now.
Some REALLY bad governments could use a DNA database of their populations to institute 'ethnic cleansing' without having to go through the bother of doing research on their citizens.
All they would have to do is set the parameters they want on their computers and hit the ENTER button. A couple of minutes later, they would have a list of the people they would like to dispose of somehow.
At least with fingerprints, they don't usually take those unless you are applying for a high-security job, going into the military, or being arrested. Now, the government wants to take the Big Shortcut and just find out everything about you they can the second you pop from the womb.
My question would be: Who in the hell was DUMB enough to propose such a bill to Congress, and who are the idiots that supported it? Once you let this come in through the door, the next step is to make it retroactive and require DNA samples of all citizens.
Don't be fooled. They would have done it right away with this first bill, had they thought they could get away with it. But, as the Wicked Witch of the West said: 'These things must be done delicately...'
So they'll probably make retroactive DNA collection from all citizens a Stage Two bill sooner or later. And then how do you stop it?
Answer: You can't.
This ridiculous bill makes no sense, and goes against the very fabric of our society. Although the American people have taken some pretty good hits lately on privacy issues, there are still a few in place, and your DNA is one of them. It's nobody's business except your own, possibly your doctor's, and maybe the police - IF they are investigating a crime and you happen to be a suspect. But for that they need a warrant, the same as if they come to your door and want to search your home.
What? You're still here reading this? You should already be contacting your Congressional representative.
(Note: I posted up a bit of sci-fi that takes this scenario to its ultimate limit.)
