The National DNA Database: Why No Public Debate?

• Published in: Ethics, Law and Society Vol. III; pp. 215 - 217
• Main Author: Levitt, Mairi
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2007
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: HIV Positive Heterosexual Man; Juvenile Delinquency; NCCTG N9831; HFEA License; Child Protection Issues; National DNA Database; Embryology Authority; EU Data Retention Directive; ES Cell; MSN Search; MSN; NCCTG; AHR; DNA Profile; DNA Sample; Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis; Foetal Protection Policies; Grant Shapps; Tissue Typing; Saviour Sibling; UK Biobank; USA's Department; MRC
• ISBN: 0754671801; 9780754671800; 9781138253674; 1138253677
• DOI: 10.4324/9781315094311-17

The National DNA Database (NDNAD) is the largest in the world, but not perhaps the envy of the world, at least not among those who are concerned with civil liberty and child protection issues. Whereas the United Kingdom (UK) Biobank has spawned years of public consultations and procedures only now being piloted, NDNAD has quietly built up over 3 million samples. The UK has a good record of public consultation and debate in the field of genetic research and applications, with bodies like the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) holding public meetings and providing extensive information on their decisions. The National DNA database includes children, is not voluntary, has no right of withdrawal and samples are subject to continuous speculative searches and searches for family matching. The MP, Grant Shapps, has a web-based campaign to help the innocent remove their DNA from the NDNAD, and there has been media coverage of research into ethnic profiling from DNA.