Apparently Bloomberg is advocating creation of nationwide DNA database for US workers. Few years ago, saying something as insane as this would be a political suicide. DNA national databases existed only in scary futuristic dystopian visions such as Gattaca.
But hey, we live in 2006 now. Scary dystopian visions are here now. And if you think I’m exaggerating think about it for a second. Even if they this database is used for ID only, and no one can actually examine your genetic code today, you never know what is going to happen in the next 10 years. How many civil liberties were lost because of the Patriot Act? Do you remember a time when wiretapping domestic calls would be a big deal?
You never know what may change in the future. The sole existence of such a database may be a temptations future politicians will not be able to resist. Inch by inch the privacy and anti discrimination guards around it will be taken away using clever legislation.
And then, 20-30 years from now, you grandson will not be able to find any well paying job for the rest of his life, because he might be genetically predisposed to some rare disease. Yes, it is a slippery slope argument – but a very real one. We seen things like this happening in the last few years. If we let the government abuse our liberties then it can only get worse with time.
I came home tonight to my parents watching Enemy of the State.
Seems like a fitting movie given this entry.
Hehe… I never saw that one, but it does sound appropriate :mrgreen: