Who should have access to DNA records?.

Would we all benefit from donating our DNA at birth to a national database? What are the advantages, for health research or for the police, of having a very large database? What are the disadvantages - the dangers of its misuse infringing civil liberties? For crime, the UK already has the largest DNA database in the world. So far 100,000 crimes have been solved using DNA, including 200 murders. It has massive potential. For health, a huge database is an advantage because it enables the identification of small effects over a large population. John Wadham expresses fears for civil liberties, just as for an identity card, as the DNA information could be accessed and misused. Liz Forgan attacks him as short-sighted. This is a much bigger issue, with far more potential than to be halted over such fears. Social consequences are important, but there can be safeguards. The scientific community has an excellent track-record on confidentiality.