Dna

DNA profiling technology has improved by leaps and hounds since its potential was first glimpsed by geneticist Alec Jeffrey’s in 1984. But as DNA data bases grow, so does the risk that coincidental matches will lead to false convictions. This week we report on the publication of a letter in Science, signed by 41 scientists and defense lawyers, demanding access to CODIS, the US national DNA database, which is controlled by the FBI. The signatories want to test some of the underlying assumptions about the likelihood that two or more people share the same DNA profile. Few of their arguments are new. Similar concerns were raised during the “DNA wars” of the mid-90s, by some of the same individuals who have signed the new letter. This latest request for access to the database, like previous requests, has been refuse on the grounds of privacy, though the FBI did agree this week to explore ways to address some of the concerns raised in the letter