I am against ID cards- the digitised picture would allow the security forces to track you via CCTV coupled face recognition computers that could track anyone felt to be a bit ‘not us’. However a senior judge has said everyone in the UK should be held on a DNA database. What are your feelings (more after the fold)
It of course raises the Big Brother state. On spokeswoman said those tracked would be having to prove they were innocent.
There are many technical issues, which mean that this isn’t going to be immediate, even if taken up. However, do you feel that it would intrude on your privacy, and if so why? (Assume that it is secure database for police etc, and insurance companies can’t check your health premiums).
I would argue that it is hard for you be be ‘followed’ via your DNA, as it has to be identified collected and processed, unlike CCTV. Criminals are more likely to leave DNA that an ID card. Also it would help in identifing bodies etc.
Thursday, 6 September, 2007 at 10:39 pm |
Big brother does little to make us safer. Those willing to give up a little liberty for security deserve neither.
I’ve been involved with IT (Information Technology)my whole life. I realize that this still isn’t that long, but I’ve been involved enough to know the above assumption is a terrible one to make.
There are plenty of examples of ID card systems that were hacked within a year of implementation. Imagine if a company hacked that database and got a hold of your DNA?
If countries spent more time making the world a better and safer place to live (without war) there would be less terrorism. People tend to resort to violence as a means to an end, not necessarily because they enjoy violence.
Securing all the lost nukes in Russia would do more to protect us than starting a war or tracking people with cameras. Buying the world’s nukes and then dismantling them, while also dismantling some of your own would make the world a safer place. And cost less than a fucking war.
Friday, 7 September, 2007 at 1:52 am |
Specifically the proposal is as a crime fighting measure, not an anti terrorist one. It has come about partly because everey one arrested for a recordable offence in the has their DNA taken, and this is kept, even if they are released before it gets any further. Also DNA from other sources is kept- and some of this ‘innocent DNA’ has later solved crimes. My question is exactly how would it impose on your civil rights to have DNA taken?
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 4:49 am |
Okay…..I go on a date with a woman, we engage in physical activity. Hours later on her way home, she is raped and killed by someone using a condom.
Who are they coming after?
Even if I could prove my innocence in court….I likely would be smeared in the media, the amount of time off/pre-trial jail time, etc. would probably doom me financially (loss of job/damaged reputation).
I believe it is a fourth amendment right to NOT be ’searched’ without probable cause. In other words, ‘they’ should have to have ME as a suspect first and foremost before my person or property can be searched.
Not…”hmm..here’s some DNA, let’s let the computer run it against the everyone database and find a match.”
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 7:17 pm |
I understand that arguement. What if upon finding the body the police were told- “Hey yeah- I saw leave the bar with James.”? Surely they would interview you.
I note that you immediately assume this is going to end up in court. Why should it? Either way the police will interview you. You give your story. The police are now in the same position DNA database or no DNA database. Either way they have to prove the murder on you, just getting to you by a different route doesn’t alter what they know after that interview.
Saturday, 13 October, 2007 at 3:49 pm |
I believe that anything that makes life easier for the criminal and terrorist (whose human rights we should all agree are more important than the normal hardworking person) should be implemented without question.
Tally Ho!
Saturday, 23 February, 2008 at 1:52 pm |
This whole question has come up again this week, with the fact that two murderers have been caught and convicted because their DNA was on the database due to a couple of minor crimes.