Problems dealing with DNA Fingerprinting
Even though DNA fingerprinting is a really cool thing, it still has some problems. It has some ethical and social problems. They are:
Ethical Problems- One ethical problem that DNA fingerprinting has is that educators such as Seyed E. Hasnain from the University of Hyderabad warns the public and other agencies that DNA fingerprinting should only be used for criminal investigations. He warns us to think of the damage that could be done if DNA is used to predict if a person is vulnerable to criminal activities or illnesses such as cancer or HIV. What impact would DNA have on a person getting a job or purchasing insurance? Research has shown that DNA testing is very accurate in identifying characteristics of individuals.
Social Problems- One Social problem about DNA fingerprinting is that in 2004, law officials in Charlottesville, Virginia resorted to a DNA sweep out of desperation when a rapist could not be found. Approaching 197 African American men, law officials asked them to volunteer to provide DNA samples. Although 187 persons agreed to do so, no conviction was made. However, the damage to the community was felt. Many saw the sweep as a form of racial profiling and an invasion of civil liberties. In other communities, such as Miami, New York, Ann Arbor, Michigan and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, police have collected DNA samples through swabbing thousands of suspects. Convicted or not, those who have been swabbed will find their DNA stored in a DNA databank.