Why a DNA database is a very bad idea

Posted on By Andrew Thaler 12 Comments on Why a DNA database is a very bad idea
Science

Imagine this scenario: A murder case that went cold 20 years ago is reopened thanks to newly available DNA-based forensics. The state, lets say Arizona, has a large database of DNA. This isn’t the DNA deposited from newborns that David discussed a few weeks ago, but DNA from convicted criminals and really anyone who’s been brought up on charges in the last few years, whether or not they were eventually found innocent. DNA from a piece of evidence in that 20-tear-old case matches DNA in the database, the suspect is brought in a questioned. He has no alibi for what he was doing on day X 20 years ago. Charges are filed, a jury is called, and the suspect is convicted on the strength of a DNA match. Justice is served, right? Maybe, but maybe not.

So here’s the funny bit. The problem with this scenario has nothing to do with genetics, forensic science, or data storage and access. It’s really not even about crime and justice. It’s about your birthday.

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Public fence-sitting then falling to one side

Posted on By Bluegrass Blue Crab 1 Comment on Public fence-sitting then falling to one side
Conservation

I recently attended a public hearing for a proclamation in the state of North Carolina that proposed to ban large-mesh gill nets in two areas of the state’s estuaries where sea turtle encounters have recently increased. There’s a large back story to both sides of the case and a lot of emotional motivation on both sides, leaving science flattened in the wake of charismatic leaders promoting their personal values. In fact, science became a bit of a flattened tool, left on the ground until useful to pick up and brandish, like a much-forgotten sword cast aside until it’s in a handy spot mid-battle. The meeting started as a classic jobs versus the environment case, but a few hours into the public comment period, I began to realize why this particular meeting had attracted the attendance of well over 300 people. I wasn’t in Kansas anymore, but at the crossroads of some of the largest debates in commercial fishing.

turtle release from the turtle hospital

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WhySharksMatter speaking at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Posted on By David Shiffman
Science

As part of their exhibit entitled “Megaladon: Largest Shark That Ever Lived“, I will be giving a public education talk about sharks at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. The talk will be at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9th. The talk is approximately 45 minutes long, which leaves plenty of time … Read More “WhySharksMatter speaking at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences” »

HeLa book review

Posted on By Bluegrass Blue Crab 1 Comment on HeLa book review
Uncategorized

book cover
picture courtesy of TerraSig

I could write a hundred different kinds of reviews for Rebecca Skloot’s new book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and they would all be nothing but favorable.  The book has three take-home points: informed consent, privacy issues, and race/class relations.  One of the biggest things to note about the book, however, is the personal story of the author included in the book – the challenges included in doing ethnographic research.  Yet it’s precisely this perspective that makes the book so spectacular, finally bringing Henrietta’s family the recognition they deserve.  Recognition that remains the only thing they’ve ever asked for in return for their family’s donation and subsequent sacrifices.

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Philosophy of activism: “I bet we can find one million” facebook groups

Posted on By David Shiffman 20 Comments on Philosophy of activism: “I bet we can find one million” facebook groups
Uncategorized

Image from montana.edu

It’s time for another “philosophy of activism” discussion, in which we debate a tactic that a particular group of activists is using in order to determine if the environmental movement should adopt it. This time, we turn to Facebook.

As a Facebook addict, I’ve noticed a new trend: groups that say “I bet we can find one million people who (insert your cause here)”. Examples include “I bet we can find one million people who support same sex marriage”, “I bet we can find one million people against abortion,” and “I bet we can find one million people who want Japan to stop killing whales”.  There are over 1,100 such groups (though some are not political in nature, such as “I bet we can find one million people who hate the Jonas Brothers”. Let’s discuss whether or not these groups help their respective causes.

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