Download DNA Databases - Glasgow Science Centre

DNA Databases
Teacher Guide
Highlighting the controversial issues
surrounding our national DNA database.
This structured activity provides a forum for pupils to critically
analyse a controversial issue that is very much at the forefront
of current public and media interest.
Pupils are challenged to consider the issue from diverse
points of view in order to develop an informed argument to
support their own opinion.
Materials Required
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Ballot Box
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Scissors
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‘What do the papers say?’ pupil resource sheet (1 set per group)*
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‘What is it all about?’ pupil resource sheet (1 per group)*
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‘What do you think?’ ballot papers pupil worksheet (1 per pupil)*
* www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/dnadatabases.aspx
Curriculum linked to match ‘A Curriculum for Excellence’ covering
outcomes in: Science > Topical Science > SCN 4-20
Literacy and English > Listening and Talking > LIT 409J
Also curriculum linked to match:
Standard Grade Biology > Inheritance
Intermediate II Biology > Environmental Biology and Genetics
Higher Biology > Unit 2: Genetics and Adaptation
Activity Details
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Split pupils into small groups of three or four and distribute the ‘What do the papers say?’ and ‘What is it all about?’ pupil
resource sheets.
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Within their groups, pupils should read the information and discuss the questions at the bottom of the ‘What is it all about?’ resource sheet.
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Distribute the ‘What do you think?’ ballot papers worksheet, one per pupil.
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Pupils should answer each question, cut out and fold up their ballot forms and place each form, anonymously, in a ballot box at the front of the class.
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Ballot forms can then be drawn randomly (or more specifically) from the Ballot Box and the opinions or thoughts expressed within can be discussed.
This activity can be conducted solely with resources as described or
alternatively, a research element can be added, allowing pupils to fully
explore many current, diverse viewpoints from a variety of sources.
Copyright © 2008 Glasgow Science Centre
DNA Databases
What do the papers say?
Read each chunk of information from the media.
Discuss your thoughts with the person next to you.
Scientist calls for world DNA
database Apr 2005
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Everyone in the world should have their genetic profile stored on a database, but the information should be held
independently of the authorities, according to the pioneer of DNA fingerprinting.
•
A global DNA database would have been
invaluable in attempting to identify victims of the recent tsunami. Instead,
investigators faced endless searches through incomplete records, or having to cause further distress to relatives of the victims.
•
Speeding up DNA fingerprinting would lead to many new applications, not least in security. Instead of typing in a credit card pin number at the supermarket, people might just give a DNA sample.
DNA database continues to swell
Police put 100,000 innocent
children on DNA database May 2007
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The number of samples held on the DNA database will rise to 4.25 million within two years, the Home Office says.
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Suspects arrested over any imprisonable offence can have their DNA held even if they are acquitted.
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The number of innocent children placed on the Government’s vast DNA database for life has quadrupled in the past year to more than 100,000, it has emerged.
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The database includes 139,463 people never charged or cautioned with an offence,
separateHome Office figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show.
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Since April 2004, anyone aged ten or above who is arrested in England or Wales can have their DNA and
fingerprints taken without their consent, or that of their parents.
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Police say those who have had their DNA taken include two schoolgirls charged with criminal damage after drawing chalk on a pavement.
Jan 2006
DNA Databases
What do the papers say?
DNA database chaos with 500,000
false or misspelt entries
Aug 2007
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Over 500,000 names on the DNA database are false, misspelt or incorrect, the
Government has admitted.
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MPs have questioned whether the false data could lead to innocent people, whose names may have been maliciously given to police by suspects, being questioned about crimes they have not committed.
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The database is already the biggest in the world, but the police want to expand files on the system to include people caught dropping litter, dodging rail fares or failing to scoop up their dogs’ waste.
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A Home Office spokesman said that the
police and DNA custodian unit, which
oversees the database, were working hard to get rid of inaccurate files and were cross-
checking fingerprints with DNA samples to ensure that the identities given by suspects were accurate.
Millions of profiles from DNA
database passed to private firms
Now DNA can name crooks
Oct 2008
Jul 2008
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Millions of profiles on the national DNA
database have been handed over secretly to private companies without the consent of those involved.
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Ministers say the database is a crucial tool in solving crimes. But when it was set up, there was no suggestion that profiles would be made available to private businesses for commercial purposes.
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Most of the requests were from the Forensic Science Service but on five occasions two private companies, Orchid Cellmark and LGC, were given anonymised information from the database.
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Detectives could soon be given the surname of men who have committed a crime simply from DNA.
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The breakthrough would give crimebusters a big hand in identifying culprits – even if they are not on the DNA database.
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A study of more than 2,500 men with more than 500 different monikers (names) found those with the same British surname are highly likely to be genetically linked.
DNA Databases
What is it all about?
What is a National DNA
Database?
Read each chunk of background information.
Using the points below for discussion, discuss your thoughts
with the person next to you.
Whose DNA is stored on the
NDNAD?
What is its purpose?
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A DNA database is a carefully catalogued collection of DNA samples against which law enforcement agencies can match suspects’ DNA in order to solve crime. The UK National DNA Database (NDNAD) was set up in 1994. Since then, the law has changed many times in order to keep up with advances in technology.
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Anyone who is arrested for a recordable
offence will have his or her DNA added to the NDNAD.
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The main function of the NDNAD is to
provide matches of DNA profiles to DNA samples found at crime scenes.
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Anyone who volunteers their DNA in order to be eliminated from an investigation is asked to sign a consent form allowing their DNA to be added to the NDNAD.
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The latest figures released by the Home Office show that as of 2006, the NDNAD contains the DNA Profiles of more than 4 million individuals (more than 5% of the population).
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As of 2008, the law differs between Scotland and England and Wales. In Scotland, DNA samples and records must be destroyed should a suspect be found innocent or re
leased without charge. This is not the case in England or Wales however, where samples are retained even if a suspect is acquitted.
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Since there is a wealth of information
contained within DNA, the NDNAD has the potential to be used as a data source for genetic research in areas including identifying a person’s relatives,
determining whether a person has a genetic condition (i.e. Parkinson’s Disease), identifying a person’s racial origin or even their physical appearance.
Things to think about...
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What do you think about our national DNA database?
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Would you voluntarily add your DNA?
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Who should/should not have access to your genetic profile?
DNA Databases
What is it all about?
If I were arrested, but not convicted, for a crime
I did not commit and my DNA was stored on a
national DNA Database I would feel…
DNA
Databases
I would/would not voluntarily add my DNA to a
national database because…
DNA
Databases
Read each statement.
Write down your thoughts, feelings or opinions.
Cut out each ballot sheet, fold it up and place it in the
approprate ballot box.
If a member of my family was a victim of crime
and the DNA evidence found at the scene could
not be identified, I would feel…
DNA
Databases
If I were refused car insurance based upon my
genetic information obtained by a company
from the NDNAD I would feel…
DNA
Databases
If a member of my family was a victim of crime
and the DNA evidence found at the scene was
identified using the NDNAD, I would feel…
DNA
Databases
If I were adopted and wanted to trace my
biological parents I would/would not be in
favour of a national DNA database because…
DNA
Databases