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Judge Says, Record DNA of Everyone In the UK

Posted by kdawson on from the all-in-it-together dept.

Many readers informed us about the opinion of Lord Justice Sedley, a senior UK Appeal Court judge, who said that everyone in the UK should have their DNA recorded in the national database — including visitors. Reader ChiefGeneralManager writes, "Sedley calls the current database 'indefensible' because it contains a hodge-podge mix of people, including children and those who have been in contact with the police. His view is that we should make it compulsory for all DNA to be recorded to remove this anomaly. The UK Information Commissioner has expressed some concerns, but not dismissed the idea outright." And reader john.wingfield adds, "Just under two weeks ago, the Independent reported that the Government has admitted that an eighth of all records on the DNA database are false, misspelled, or incorrect — over half a million records. This raises the possibility of a breach of the 4th data protection principle of the Data Protection Act 1998: 'Personal data shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.'"

6 of 403 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Chimeras by KillaBeave · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    What about chimeras - people who have two different sets of DNA in the same body? They allegedly make up a small but not insignificant fraction of the population. How will the system deal with them?

    Is that how Steve Martin got by with saying he "was born a poor black child" in The Jerk?

    **ducks

  2. Re:DNA from visitors? by Dunbal · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Sure, but where are you going to go (other than the UK) for fine dining? Hmmmm??

          Ahhh the UK, where even salt is considered too spicy. Oh and remember, if in doubt, boil it until it's an even gray color.

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    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  3. Re:England & Wales only by Kev_Stewart · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Go fuck yourself. According to the DNA database in the UK, many people have/are doing this already
  4. Re:DNA from visitors? by clickclickdrone · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    >Ahhh the UK, where even salt is considered too spicy
    Do what? The UK's most popular food is curry - we like spicy. Drunken men try to impress each other by tackling Phal's or drinking straight from a bottle of 'Old Grindley's bastard hot sauce'.

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    I want a list of atrocities done in your name - Recoil
  5. Re:England & Wales only by Dunbal · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    It's easier for the Scots though, because if they want to collect it from you again they can get it from the sheep in your backyard.

          No that won't work, they'll just end up with the DNA from every male in the village... but now how can they tell who is who?

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    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  6. Re:England & Wales only by Nimey · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    We only have to do that because there aren't enough sheep here in the States.

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    Hail Eris, full of mischief...

    E pluribus sanguinem