LAW & THE GENETICS OF IDENTITY
The Science of DNA Fingerprinting
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Program Summary
Producer: Larry Massett
Aired Beginning: November 1998
We've heard a lot about DNA forensics in the news lately - the process of testing DNA, finding DNA matches, and creating DNA profiles of individuals makes for great headlines. But what exactly is DNA forensics, and how does it work? Is it trustworthy as evidence in court, or as proof of paternity? Can it accurately identify the deceased?
Study of our genetic identity has produced one of the most controversial ethical issues facing researchers today. Privacy and security concerns surrounding the retention of DNA samples spark heated debate. Detractors view the practice as a violation of civil rights, while proponents claim that the value of collecting genetic material far outweighs its risks, offering the potential to find lost family members and even identify "switched" babies.
Some advocates think that everyone should be genetically fingerprinted. This program looks at the laboratory techniques used to conduct DNA tests. You'll visit genetic testing labs - including the commercial facility that handled the evidence for the O. J. Simpson trial - to examine research methods up-close. You'll learn exactly how testing is performed and what the results mean. You'll also find out how forensic DNA evidence goes beyond crime-solving: into the world of missing persons, in countries where war and repression have meant the "disappearance" of millions of people. DNA technology is now being used to try to determine what happened to them.
The show also touches on ethical issues surrounding the creation of DNA databanks with the potential to retain information about each and every one of us. For example, the U.S. military and prison system already collect genetic samples from members of the armed forces and from convicts. These samples are kept "on file" in databanks for future reference. The DNA those samples contain hold far more personal information than any mug shot or inky fingerprint. Are such databanks ethical? If collection starts with the military and prisons, won't it next go to schools, workplaces, or your doctor's office? Who will protect our privacy against misuse of this information?
In the end, it's up to you to examine the evidence. Is genetic testing reliable enough to permit DNA collection for government, military, or law enforcement databanks? Will someone, someday, be tracing your genetic fingerprint?
Last Updated: July 2004
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