Once a dataset is made, no matter how innocuous the reason, it will be exploited by somebody for another purpose. Once a government agency is made, it won't be repealed, but instead will repeatedly do all it can to expand its scope, powers, budget and headcount.

That said, I've disagreed with these mandatory state run genetic test screens for a very long time. Sure, you're checking for the gene for Tay-Sachs or whatever now, but what happens later? What happens when this sets a precedent for conducting medical testing on people without consent, because the state says its cool? What happens when the majority of mothers in the hospital don't even know that these tests are being done? What happens when the lists of diseases gets so exhaustive that a positive in a government file puts a black mark on many people for life? Finally, what happens to the samples?

We know that once government gets its hands on something it seldom lets go without a fight. We see this in many states (like NY) that either demand the DNA be kept on file for decades, or forever. With no oversight on how that data is handled, who gets to use it, and what research companies can get access.

This has been occurring for years now. How long until some enterprising cop decides to look into cold cases by screening all the DNA in the database against the samples found in the area of the crime? How long until these DNA dragnets start ensnaring innocent people who happen to simply be in the area (absurdly tiny bits of DNA can be detected in forensics now --- if the coffee shop I just visited gets robbed in a few hours and they swab the counter it's likely sweat and skin from my hands will be picked up) at the time? Even worse, let's say you get pinched for a murder/robbery years ago --- how do you refute such evidence without alibi witnesses? Who is going to remember where they were on June 17, 2003? Who is going to believe you in court that you are innocent when the prosecution has 'DNA!' and half the jury has seen CSI or whatever crime show that is with the sailors and the ugly goth chick? Who is going to look through the records to make sure the random lab tech who was rushing to get out of work that friday didn't swap your sample with crazy Harry (the chronic arsonist and bedwetter) next door?

But... but... I'm not going to get sent to prison for life, you say. Fine. Cool. Whatever. Remember how we're always on here talking about 'health care' reform? Remember how insurance companies tend to screw people over with 'pre-existing conditions?' How much money do you think Blue Cross et al would pay for genetic testing of these databanks? How much do you think they'd pay for lobbyists to have the state 'screen' this entire databank as a "preventative measure" for every single test known to mankind? Of course, this data would then be reported to the insurance carrier, just like the poor baby in this story, and that kid is now branded for life.

The technology is coming. I won't turn this into a science seminar by explaining how this would all work, but believe me it's coming. The time to start protecting our privacy is now. We have to be proactive because once this cat is out of the bag, it's not going back in.

I've called for this before: We need a privacy amendment to the constitution. And the repeal of these retarded DNA banking programs as well.

Never compromise.

Paternity testing at birth should be mandatory.

Did we all laugh at you?

Why does reduced fat Swiss cheese have twice as many holes are regular Swiss cheese?

Say your no-account cousin breaks into a house and leaves a drop of blood from a cut.  The cops run a DNA test - natch.  But they have no matches  Now say the coppers have YOUR DNA on file.  They just might come looking for you.

Why does reduced fat Swiss cheese have twice as many holes are regular Swiss cheese?