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Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2001-09 > 1000016789


From: "Allan S. Gleason" <>
Subject: Re: [DNA] DNA - Privacy and Other Concerns
Date: Sat, 08 Sep 2001 23:26:29 -0700
References: <000801c1388b$22e92980$bcb6a9d0@hppav>


Any relation to my most favorite actress of all time, Jeanie Crain?

Copied the 7 chapters and read #3. Well written and worth reading! I
have some conclusions if you'd care to hear them - or not.

This is the age old argument between heredity and environment - it just
goes on and on and on. While it has always been known that both are
partially valid, the environmantal diehards just won't quit. If you
shout loud enough you can make something true!

First, forget privacy! If anyone wants to find out about you, they'll
do it - they have, already, and there is no way to stop them!

Second, if a person is a criminal, I hope they get caught and prosecuted
by any means possible including universal DNA testing. Crime is not a
children's game! If they are innocent then the accusers (DA, police,
etc.) should be fully prosecuted with very severe penalties - that is
the only deterrent to sloppy law enforcement - and just another minor
hazard of the job.

But more important, how is our society going to handle the obvious
invasion of privacy when the whole world knows our personal DNA - and
believe me, they will - if they're interested?

I think the article showed at least some of the ways that people with
divergent DNA could be discriminated against. Generally, the problem
seems to be with employment and health care.

Well, if we had universal health care as most of the civilized world
has, there would be no problem. But since we have been conned out of
that idea, we could at least have our representatives pass laws which
would protect us from predatory insurance companies, HMOs and
employers. It really is just that easy! The world changes and the laws
change as we want. It is OUR country after all.

Finally, there was mention of a person not wanting to know that they had
a deadly genetic condition because they couldn't handle the
information. I can understand that. No one wants to face the fact that
they are going to die, I don't - but we all will. We have all sorts of
crutches such as heaven or some sort of spirit life afterward or even
reincarnation but actually, we are going to die and then there will be
nothing . . .

However, advance knowledge allows a person to, as they say, "put his/her
affairs in order" so that the family doesn't suffer more than necessary
and is prepared. I am seventy years old and may die tomorrow or
twenty-five years from now. I've prepared for the event and don't have
to think about it.
Allan
















JECrain wrote:
>
> Some interesting articles here:
>
> http://www.geneart.org/genome-toc.htm
>
> <http://www.geneart.org/genome-toc.htm>;
>
> Chapter Three:
> DNA and Privacy
>
> Janet Crain
> www.Genpage.com
>
>
>
> ==============================
> Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com!
> http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2

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