This week, I would like to present an interesting article in the field of genealogy and criminology.
LINK: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/golden-state-killer-suspect-dna-genetics-genealogy
"Colleen Fitzpatrick and Margaret Press have pioneered a way to do just that. The pair cofounded the DNA Doe Project a nonprofit that uses genetics and genealogy to put a name to remains from unidentified people, including crime victims. The techniques developed for their organization are probably the same ones used in the Golden State Killer case, Fitzpatrick and Press say."
Q:
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases is a look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteNo sharing of personal data is good, but we live in the world more and more. more sophisticated security systems in response to increasingly smart criminals. It is inevitable that we will increasingly limit our privacy for greater security. I would be more afraid of not collecting such data, but access to it by institutions and legal protection.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA for the purposes described in the article?
No, I would not agree to such a thing. I do not see a need to dispose of some privacy without proportionate gratification.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals?
This is not a good way unless the people who left their DNA there were well informed and agreed to be aware of the consequences of their decisions.
I have a similar opinion to yours. it's interesting what you write about the gradual process. This is probably the key to all major changes - their gradual introduction.
Delete1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion storing genetic data in central database is generally good idea. But to be successful such database should be anonymized and secured properly. Id of the database record could be only revealed in case of perfect much with the suspect in other case identity tof the record should stay private.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
Generally speaking yes
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
Yest this is ok but it’s the same case as in question one. Identities should stay secured until we get perfect match
This is quite an interesting approach. Only there is always the fear that the data will be used in accordance with the law.
Delete1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteI personally agree with Nikodem. Im' not keen on providing too much personal information about myself. I'm not convinced that such data is preserved and secured properly.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
I would rather not.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
It would be ok, if data was preserved properly and if identity of the persons in question would remain unrevealed until an ideal match is found and all pieces of information are confirmed.
Ok- saved when swabbing. but do you use mines to recognize criminals? point 3
Delete1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteHonestly I do not believe that the main problem is genetical. It is rather psychological, because if someone watch for whole life criminals and do not have any good mentors or role leaders how he can live in other way. This can be only the tool for bending the law. Of course, some believe that it is the detection of a criminal before they even became one.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
I would not like to volunteer for such purposes. First of all for private reasons, you never know what else will be used for, or if someone decides to take advantage of the situation.
3. We give our swab to organisations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
Of course if someone wants our dna it will get it. After all, we go to doctors, do blood tests, use mugs, cutlery, etc. However, this is a strong violation of privacy, just like the idea of using chips. I think everyone has heard about giving points to Chinese citizens, I do not think we want to live in such a world.
Interesting answers. There is a lot of truth in what you write in Point3 - If someone wants it, he will get our DNA.
Delete1) Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteI believe that any method that identifies the perpetrator or victim of a crime, including a public database is a good way to achieve the goal. Public databases have it to ourselves that we can share your data in it or not and the decision belongs to us. Why not use public data? After all, no one will make us sign an account on Facebook, Instagram or others! Nobody tells us to share genetic data in the same way, but we do it. We hope that they will be well used. Why not detect crimes?
2) Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
Of course! Absolutely! Why not! I have nothing to lose and I'm sure. 100% YES!!!
3) We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
Any method that gives you the opportunity to look specifically for a crime victim is very important. Take this example: 10 years ago your child was kidnapped. Thanks to such samples, law enforcement authorities determine that your "Krzyś" lives exactly there. Do you have anything against giving you his address? I leave unanswered!
I like your approach - for the good of the public safety. Personally, I think that in 20 years time, we will give a trace of DNA. Just like today we will take other data eg to our ID card or passport.
Delete1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to propose further violations of privacy with a poster child - look, if we just had all the data, there would be no crime! Unfortunately, the spectacular triumphs are not enough to justify the abuses of power.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
No.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is OK - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
If law enforcement already have such a database (acquired e.g. from the prison population), then by all means let them commence. If people want to contribute their DNA for this kind of "charity" then more power to them. But creating a huge database for criminal justice by appropriating sensitive information shared for medical purposes - is unacceptable.
An interesting answer to point 3 can be to collect DNA in the same way as fingerprints are collected - from the prison population.
DeleteWhy not? Genetic studies must be anonymised. A specific survey cannot be attributed to an individual. All biological, medical and psychological research is relevant to the population at large. The non-comparability of the study with the population is a methodological error. Genetic research applies to all people. This question is completely meaningless because one cannot draw a conclusion from the research of an individual person. Conclusions are made based on the study group only.
ReplyDeleteYes. I see no reason not to do this. Nowadays, you don't have to give your "bottom". It is possible to predict what DNA will look like at 90% based on family research. If my DNA helps to catch a crime, it will be happy to make it accessible
A great comment about the all population - this is really important. But I think that in the first comment we have to make changes gradually.
Delete1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult for me to answer this question.If it is not anonymous, then of course not. Only in conditions of full security of the user, and of course only in order to protect people and avoid crimes.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
Yes, of course, yes, I am always for such projects, and would gladly agree to be a volunteer.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
I think yes, if you look for the DNA of criminals is the norm, then why not? If security does not violate the rights of another person, then of course yes
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteI think that if such a database can help in solving cases, it should be used as much as possible.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
Of course, if they are to be used for a good purpose.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
I believe that these results should be included in the police database. However, this should be done officially and every donor should be aware of it.
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteOur most sensitive data is the DNA code. Currently, when there is a cheap method that allows for genetic manipulation that allows to create viruses that can cause illness in a particular person, such a database would be very dangerous. Such "tailor-made" viruses can cause a light cold in the rest of the population and, at the same time, be fatal to the individual. I know that create database with our DNA code could be good for may reason, but it have to been properly secured.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
For the purpose described in the article yes, but I need to be sure that this database will be properly secured and used only for this purpose.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
It would be really helpfull but we have to have DNA code from all population. Similar test would be also helpfull to avoid situation when we accuse innocent people.
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteThere is no easy answer. I think that it depends how it will be used for. If pulic genetic base helps to identify victims of a crime then it may be good but there may be raised new questions. How secure will it be? Who will have the access to the database. How it will be managed in a future?
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
I would prefer not to share my dna for any purposes.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
I think that it may be ok if and only if people sharing their DNA are well informed how it will be used and they agree for that.
Maciej,
ReplyDeleteThank you for interesting topic and difficult questions.
In my opinion, we can use public genetic bases to look for genetic connections, under condition that we have data from people, who are conscious of that. Personally I wouldn’t have problem to share my DNA sample for such purposes, and also for other, described in the article. If it is respectively protected, we shouldn’t have nothing against it.
As for looking criminals and victims using methods of organizations looking for marrow donors, I think all the methods are good to help in solving serious problems. I am for that, because I am interested in criminology and I know, how many cases stay unsolved, or are badly led in court, because there is no data, no proof. Such methods, used responsibly, can bring real help.
BR,
Marta
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good method. People who place their genetic code in a public base agree to their use by other institutions. If this may help with the perpetrator's approach then it's worth using this method.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
I think not. I value privacy. DNA is an integral part of me. I'm not sure for what purposes my DNA will be used. I'm not trust them.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
I think yes, but only on condition that the person who gives the bone marrow agrees that it's DNA will be used for other purposes and by other institutions.
I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, it's being done for good reasons, but on the other, it sounds like a violation of privacy.
ReplyDeleteI could share my DNA sample in some cases but I wouldn't like to do it if not absolutely necessary.
I think that in some cases using such information to look for criminals or identify victims can be justified, but as stated in the article it should be taken with a reserve as sometimes results are misleading and could lead to wrong accusations. I would advocate such means if all other, easier methods were helpless.
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteWhile it might give some positive results, I would recommend extreme caution and constant monitoring. We should learn something after bite mark analysis and hair matching turned out to be pseudoscience.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
I don't think so. The statistics (database covers small group compared to total population) and pressure to convict someone might result in too many false positives.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
It might be OK, but under very strict checks and requirement of tedious paperwork in every case, to prevent cheap data mining by law enforcement.
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteWhy not? I know that there is a big problem with sharing this particular data across universities. Because it costs real money. So what? We are slowing research progress by doing that and it's quite important to fully understand our DNA.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
Yes, as long as they promise that they won't make my clone. We need more data to cure diseases and prevent new ones from emerging.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
I gave mine, it's a battle privacy versus helping others. I choose to help others. Criminals won't give a ... . So we won't find them by doing that.
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it is a good way. Of course, there will be always a problem how to protect the collected data and observe the principles of privacy and intimacy.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
Yes, I do not see any significant obstacles. Basically, I have nothing to hide... ;) On the other hand I share the concern about using my DNA for other purposes that I will not be informed about – it is always possible.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
Yes, I think it is ok. I believe that data such as fingerprints, retinal scan and DNA should be collected by each state at the time of birth. Perhaps it would raise safety and rule out anonymisation in the case of serious crimes.
Thank you for the interesting material. Storing DNA data in a central database is a good idea. However, in some cases such data may be used for the wrong purpose. That is why a very important issue is safety and defining and observing rules strictly for the use of such data. If I had a guarantee that my data is secure, I would not mind disclosing it to the described purposes. Regarding the third question, such searches can give a lot of additional information - not always as expected but here must be well-designed procedures.
ReplyDelete1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I suppose there should be some agreements for usage of given DNA sample so that every participant could decide by themselves.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
Sure. Actually, I'm going to sequence my genome by one of the companies that are doing that commercially.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
Yes. I think that this kind of method is an example of good-usage of invigilation on the very low-level.
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteOf course. It is important to find out the name of those people. Often it might be very interesting for their family.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
The only reason why I can’t say “yes” without thinking are the people who will perform the tests. From an interesting experiment that might help a lot of people it can be easily changed into the reason why someone will receive most personal information about me.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
Only if the donner say “yes” for that. Those people are giving their swab for a specific purpose, we can not forget about that
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion sharing of this kind of data is good, but I am not sure did I want to participate in it? For instance we could find some kind of patterns what would be helpful in disease detection. Nevertheless it is one of the most private / personal data that we have and I am not sure am I ready to share it.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
It depends and it is hard to say. Even if I would be able to help somebody I do not have any guarantee that this data would not be used in a future in a case that will be not align with my convictions.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
Yes it is. But it was very tricky question, because such kind of data should be protected properly and used only in a case to find person who did the crime. The second purpose is to help other seriously ill people and my opinion is like above.
1. Do you think that using public genetic bases to look for genetic connections is good?
ReplyDeleteI think in general it is good, but it also depends on the purpose of such using. We can look for genetic connection in order to find our relatives, to catch a murderer, out of curiousity, to research connections between historical figures… It is also very important, if the organization which gathers genetic samples, also warns people that their datas may be used for the different purposes, like it is describe in the last paragraph of the article. But according to the main topic, I think that there is no wrong in using public databases to catch the extremely dangerous serial killer.
2. Would you be able to share your DNA sample for the purposes described in the article?
If by purposes described in the article You mean signing to the mentioned websites, that mainly develop genealogy research, then the answer is no, because I am not in need to find more relatives ;) but if the purpose is to help with finding the killer, than I am a little torn apart. On the one hand, this is very important that such person can be caught, but on the other, I am not a big fan of indefinite circle of people that can have access to my personal datas.
3. We give our swab to organizations that look for marrow donors. Do you think it is ok - to look for criminals and victims in this way?
In case of victims I am sure it is ok, because we don’t interrupt any interests of potential morrow donors if we look among them the relations to the victim of the crime. Speaking of searching the criminals’ DNA in the database of the morrow donor it is not as obvious though. Of course some can explain that if somebody wants to be a donor, than it means that such person want to generally help other in every possible way, also by sharing DNA profile, but I am sure than if in some case there will be match, such person will use the method of gainig these DNA to try to discredit the findings (for instance by saying that in the process of giving swab the identitiy of the donor was not closely examine).