1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 1

Blue Group

The Motion: A Comprehensive National DNA

Database Should Be Set Up

Our Position: WE ARE AGAINST IT

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 2

The Blue Team

Leader: Serena Cameirano

Speaker 1: Mazez Al-Heseny Helpers: Brian Cullen

Speaker 2: John Curtis Helpers: Eoghan Cunneen

Speaker 3: Andrew Collins Helpers: Ekaterina Aksenova

Byrne Ivan

Rebuttal: Sean Curry Helpers: Fortune Sarah

Diarmuid Delaney

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 3

Our Argument

Speaker 1 : Mazez Al-Heseny Ethics Privacy Genetic discrimination. Speaker 2 : John Curtis Could it be exploited, and how? Speaker 3 : Andrew Collins Will it even help us?

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 4

Speaker 1

Mazez Al-Heseny

Ethics

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 5

Ethics

DNA Database and privacy

Genetic discrimination

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 6

Privacy?

Who should be tested?

Who will collect the data?

Who will have access to it?

What use will they make of it?

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 7

What Information?

DNA testing may reveal the presence of a socially stigmatizing genetic disorder or unveil behavioural

traits, such as the rape or murder gene (i.e. behavioural genetics). Testing may disclose information about significant future episodes and possibly shameful events, such as susceptibility to disease. Could this information be passed on to Employers or

Insurance companies.

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 8

Scientists make mistakes!

“And there are cases in the United Kingdom where innocent people were

convicted after false matches in the databank” Ricardo Federico (Toranto Criminal Lawyer)

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 9

Speaker 2

John Curtis

Could such a system ever be exploited, how?

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 10

Could it be exploited, and how?

For commercial objectives? Insurance?

– Uses in ‘loading’ those with disease prone genes?– Employers looking for ‘long-term’ workers? I.e. Gattica

Research? Iceland first country in the world to sell their DNA

[1] "In our company," said Kari Stefansson of DeCode, "we have the genealogy of the entire people for 1,000 years back in time and a computerized record of who is related to whom.”

– Comprehensive DNA database may prove to be a ‘cash cow’…– Can we trust the government not to be tempted by this new source of income?

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[1] http://www.actionbioscience.org/genomic/hlodan.html

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 11

What uses could it have?

National Security? / Government Objectives Uses other than those intended for it?

– After Sept. 11th many new laws pushed through hastily– In times of emergency what could the DNA database be put to use for?

Security Issues? Could such a system ever be hacked?

The harm that could be done if it were– DNA is so persuasive

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1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 12

Can we ever be sure

Ask ourselves? Can we really be sure that a DNA database will only be

used for crime fighting?

Can we be assured of privacy?

Can we be sure that governments will not be tempted by this potential source of income?

The answer is NO

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 13

Speaker 3

Andrew Collins

Do we need it and would it help us?

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 14

British DNA database: Example from Republic Book I:

Socrates: Then under what circumstances would a criminal be caught by a DNA database?

Polemarchus: If they were previously caught and had their DNA put on the database.

Socrates: So then people who are caught by it are already criminals. Polemarchus: Yes Socrates: Then people who are caught by the DNA database weren't deterred from

commiting another crime? Polemarchus: Clearly. Socrates: Is that to say, Polemarchus, that if 1,000 people were caught every week

with the DNA database, 1,000 people are let out of custody every week unreformed?

Polemarchus: That is the inference. Socrates: Then a DNA database isn't good for much. Polemarchus: Ah touché

1BA6 Blue Group Class Presentation - Topic 15

Do we need it?

A DNA database might catch criminals, but will it rehabilitate them?

Will it help curb the crime increase?

Is it only a temporary solution to a long term problem?