Pos. and Neg. of DNA Profiling Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Positives and Negatives on DNA Profiling DNA testing has many uses, both positive and negative, in our society. Genetic profiling has been beneficial in paternity suits and rape cases, where the father or the assailant could be identified. However, despite its growing number of utilizations, DNA profiling is extremely hazardous when results are inaccurate or used to discriminate. Many have benefited from the genetic engineering that has developed at a frightening rate in the last decade. Evabeth T. wrote in the Family Forum expressing her gratefulness of DNA testing. â€Å"Had I not had the genetic testing, I would not have known of the tumor until symptoms occurred, and then I might have had major problems like a heart attack or a stroke,† (Ask the Family). Evabeth is not the only person DNA profiling has benefited. In 1989, Donald Roultodt a prominent father of three was convicted of sexual abuse with his seven-year-old daughter in the Georgia courts of law, (Thompson, 1989). Donald’s conviction, along with many other similar cases, was due to the DNA testing Aside from its usefulness in many legal investigations, DNA profiling can be used in the workplace to discriminate against employees whose profiles could pose a financial risk. For example, genetic technology can and has been used to determine whether or not a person will contract certain diseases, such as sickle-cell anemia. This could cause many employers to hesitate in hiring these people. In the early 1970's, the United States began a carrier screening for sickle-cell anemia, which affects 1 in 400 African-Americans. Many of those identified as carriers mistakenly thought they were afflicted with this debilitating disease. Furthermore, confidentiality was often breached, and in some cases, carriers were discriminated against and denied health insurance along with employment. Genetic engineering with respect to insurance does not stop here. Further development could lead to a complete knowledge of who will develop a disease and when. This will drastically affect the practicality of life insurance policies. Another striking danger of insurance companies discriminating is with infants. The companies may become extremely hesitant in insuring babies who have a high susceptibility to certain diseases. The frequency of genetic testing in criminal investigations has been increasing dramatically despite... ...fidentiality and discrimination, and insurers and employers concerned about liability, it will fall upon legislators and the courts to define the proper use of genetic information.† What matters is how the knowledge of DNA profiling is used. DNA profiling can be an extremely beneficial tool in the war against crime. However, when used for discriminatory purposes, this tool becomes a crime in itself. The ability to compare and contrast a person's genetic code with another should not be taken lightly, for with this great knowledge comes great responsibility. Bibliography â€Å"Ask the Family.† VHL Family Alliance Home Page 5:4 (December 1997): Online. http://www.vhl.org/newsletter/vhl1997/97dpdnat.htm. Grubb, Andrew. Blood Testing, AIDS, and DNA profiling: Law and Policy. Bristol: Family Law, 1990. â€Å"Paternity and Testing Center.† DNA Diagnostics Center Home Page Online. 09 October 2000 http://www.dnacenter.com/htm. â€Å"Privacy and DNA Fingerprinting News.† Eubios Ethics Institute Publications. Online. 10 October 2000. http://www.zobell.biol.tsukuba.ac.jp~macer/NBBFP.htm. Thompson, William C. "DNA Evidence in Criminal Law: New Developments." Trial. 08 August 1989.