DNA Profiling: The Ethical Aspect (A Library Help)
Submitted by ChristopherRyan... on Sun, 2009-07-26 21:00.
Ever since scientists discovered "the secret of life" embedded in our DNA a half century ago, the study of human genes has sparked debate about the nature of race. The question seemed to be settled in the 70s when biologist Richard Lewontin compared variations in genes within different population groups. His conclusion, that most human genetic variation didn't fall along racial lines, was widely accepted. At molecular level, human beings are more alike. Repeat experiments confirmed this finding, and many custom research papers embraced the knowledge that the racial categories that justified racist oppression represented social and political beliefs rather than biological truths.
But the notion that race is real as biological fact didn't die. The more science has delved into the intricacies of our DNA, the more experts have diverged on the question of race. The dispute, which reverberates mostly in the pages of custom research papers and in the halls of some prestigious institutions, could have negative repercussions in the real world for communities of color. From criminal justice to medical research, the lack of clarity on the true nature of race poses risks, including the risk that we might start believing in essentialist notions of race again.
More custom papers came out to shed light on this until a startling article was published last year. It includes a collection of thumbnail-size photos of former inmates who had been released on the basis of DNA evidence. A quick survey of the images was compelling - most of the faces were black and brown men who had spent behind bars for crimes they had not committed. For these men, DNA analysis helped prove, without a shadow of doubt, that genetic material uncovered at a crime scene didn't match their own. Science was an instrument of justice.
However, several custom research papers trace a pattern of racially-biased arrest and conviction in New York and other states across the country. This presents multiple problems for people of color. It gives scientific legitimacy to the widespread but sill controversial notion that certain genetic differences, or markers, correlate precisely with geographic regions and modern racial categories. Furthermore, it creates a market for genetic services that may be good guesses but not definitive.
Critics fear that such questionable science in criminal justice will inevitably lead to searchers for gene markets for criminal behavior. They have reasons to, as a couple of recent custom research papers support their hunch. The ever-expanding databases would enable law enforcement to seize biographical information, which consequently strips citizens of their privacy rights.
AUTHOR'S PROFILE:
Christopher Ryan Wheaton writes custom research papers, news reports and marketing materials mostly inside a public library. He's passionate about crime and mystery; he has a mini-library of books of that genre. Not surprisingly, “CSI” is his favorite TV show.
Ever since scientists discovered "the secret of life" embedded in our DNA a half century ago, the study of human genes has sparked debate about the nature of race. The question seemed to be settled in the 70s when biologist Richard Lewontin compared variations in genes within different population groups. His conclusion, that most human genetic variation didn't fall along racial lines, was widely accepted. At molecular level, human beings are more alike. Repeat experiments confirmed this finding, and many custom research papers embraced the knowledge that the racial categories that justified racist oppression represented social and political beliefs rather than biological truths.
But the notion that race is real as biological fact didn't die. The more science has delved into the intricacies of our DNA, the more experts have diverged on the question of race. The dispute, which reverberates mostly in the pages of custom research papers and in the halls of some prestigious institutions, could have negative repercussions in the real world for communities of color. From criminal justice to medical research, the lack of clarity on the true nature of race poses risks, including the risk that we might start believing in essentialist notions of race again.
More custom papers came out to shed light on this until a startling article was published last year. It includes a collection of thumbnail-size photos of former inmates who had been released on the basis of DNA evidence. A quick survey of the images was compelling - most of the faces were black and brown men who had spent behind bars for crimes they had not committed. For these men, DNA analysis helped prove, without a shadow of doubt, that genetic material uncovered at a crime scene didn't match their own. Science was an instrument of justice.
However, several custom research papers trace a pattern of racially-biased arrest and conviction in New York and other states across the country. This presents multiple problems for people of color. It gives scientific legitimacy to the widespread but sill controversial notion that certain genetic differences, or markers, correlate precisely with geographic regions and modern racial categories. Furthermore, it creates a market for genetic services that may be good guesses but not definitive.
Critics fear that such questionable science in criminal justice will inevitably lead to searchers for gene markets for criminal behavior. They have reasons to, as a couple of recent custom research papers support their hunch. The ever-expanding databases would enable law enforcement to seize biographical information, which consequently strips citizens of their privacy rights.
AUTHOR'S PROFILE:
Christopher Ryan Wheaton writes custom research papers, news reports and marketing materials mostly inside a public library. He's passionate about crime and mystery; he has a mini-library of books of that genre. Not surprisingly, “CSI” is his favorite TV show.
» ChristopherRyanWheaton's blog | login or register to post comments | printer friendly version | 1509 reads
Recent comments
13 hours 38 min ago
13 hours 38 min ago
13 hours 40 min ago
13 hours 41 min ago
13 hours 42 min ago