Surging DNA Databases

Posted by Osagie K. Obasogie January 25, 2007
Biopolitical Times
In addition to being a defunct citrus soda, ‘surge’ is also the latest kool-aid neocon pundits and politicians are serving the public in their push for sending more American troops to Iraq. But, ‘surge’ also aptly characterizes growing government efforts to expand DNA databases. USA Today reports that in addition to collecting DNA from persons convicted of serious felonies, the Justice Department is planning to take samples from those violating immigration laws, war on terror detainees, and others accused but not convicted of federal crimes.

This comes a few short days after lawmakers in South Carolina began considering a bill to create the nation’s most aggressive DNA collection program, which goes beyond California’s Proposition 69 and proposes taking genetic samples from ANYONE arrested in ANY crime. (Jaywalkers, beware!) These coordinated efforts by local, state, and federal governments to catalogue the public’s genetic make-up for law enforcement purposes is certainly troubling; anyone who values their civil rights and civil liberties should take note.