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DNA Databases and Genetic Privacy

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DNA Databases and Genetic Privacy

The Use of DNA Databases

DNA databases have become increasingly prevalent over the years. It was once

considered an expensive and rare technology, but now it has become widely available. It allows

individuals to submit samples to companies and gain insight on their ancestry and any potential

health risks. These results can even be shown to open-source platforms, where users can connect

with distant relatives based on their shared genetic information. Law enforcement have also used

DNA databases to solve cold cases, such as the “Golden State Killer” investigation. However,

open-source often lack sturdy security measures, leaving genetic profiles vulnerable to misuse.

There is also the fact that DNA testing techniques provide much more than basic ancestry

information, revealing sensitive details on a person’s health and genetic traits, raising significant

concerns about Genetic Privacy (Guest, 2019).

Genetic Privacy Concern

The initial problem is attempting to find a balance between benefiting from genetic

research and not breaking an ethical code. While data privacy has been extensively studied

overtime in areas such as the internet, finance, and trading, genetic privacy can present unique

challenges because of the characteristics of human genomes. Unlike other forms of data, human

DNA contains three billion base pairs of four nucleotide acids, which are highly interconnected,

and these base-pairs form nonrandom disequilibrium blocks. This causes it to reflect an

individual’s ancestry, variations in genetic traits, and responses to treatment (Xinghua, 2016).

Though DNA databases have led to great strides in people’s lives (like in forensics and

healthcare), safeguarding genetic information needs more specialized methods of protection than

what we already have.

Positives of DNA Databases

DNA Databases in Forensics

​ However, DNA analysis has become an important piece to modern life. Like forensic

science, the origins tracing back to 1985. British scientist Alec Jefferys developed the first DNA

testing methods. His DNA testing was used to solve a double-homicide case in 1986, leading to

the first significant use of DNA solving a crime. The impact of this new innovation was quickly

noticed in the United States as well, where DNA evidence contributed to the first criminal

conviction in 1987. Over the years, DNA testing revolutionized criminal investigations with the

National Institute of Justice predicting that it has helped solve thousands of cases. Today, DNA

databases are an important tool in forensic science, enabling law enforcement to match DNA

evidence from crime scenes with profiles stored in databases, which enhances the efficiency and

accuracy of criminal investigations (Borg, 2024).

​ DNA analysis in criminal investigations has a detailed process and starts with the

collection of physical evidence, usually from a crime scene. Investigators collect items that have

the likely potential of containing DNA, which include clothing, bedding, dirty laundry,

toothbrushes, or condoms. Once the evidence is collected, it is transported with care by the first

responding officer to prevent any likely contamination. At the lab, a serologist (or a scientist that

works with bodily fluids), examines the evidence to identify whether it contains DNA-rich

materials like blood, saliva, or semen. The initial analysis is considered important, as it

determines which samples can be used for further DNA testing, potentially linking a suspect to

the crime scene or providing a new insight into the investigation (Borg, 2024).

​ DNA databases play a crucial role in modern forensic science. These databases store

profiles from individuals, suspects, and crime scenes, allowing investigators to compare with
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new evidence. However, the use of DNA databases can also present unique challenges,

especially regarding genetic privacy. DNA contains highly sensitive information about an

individual. The benefits of DNA databases in solving crimes is undeniable, but specialized

methods are needed to safeguard genetic information and to make sure it is used in a responsible

manner.

Medical Research and Healthcare

​ As DNA databases improved forensic science, it has also benefited medical research and

healthcare. When integrated with electronic health records (EHRs), it has led to a transformative

shift to more personalized medicine. This new kind of integration allows healthcare providers to

design a more targeted and effective treatment plan by considering an individual’s genetic

makeup, medical history, and environmental factors. Which is accessed by DNA databases

storing genetic data. Medical professionals can now better understand how a person’s genes

might influence their response to certain treatment, leading to a more customized and precise

care. This approach leads to the increase of successful treatment and also helps to minimize

undesired harmful effects, as therapies are tailored to every individual patient’s genetic profile

(Robertson, 2023). The combination of DNA databases and EHR enhances the potential of

healthcare, marking a significant step forward in medicine.

The integration of genomic data with medical records play a key role in medical research.

By linking genetic information to health histories, researchers gain more of an insight into

genotype-phenotype relationships and the ways specific genetic variations can influence traits or

disease outcomes. This kind of enriched dataset allows scientists to identify patterns that would

otherwise go unnoticed, which can lead to the development of more targeted therapies and

interventions. Understanding how certain genetic markers correlate with disease progression can
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help in designing drugs that are better suited to specific patient groups. This fusion of genomic

data and clinical records can accelerate the pace of scientific discovery and also can open up new

directions for developing personalized treatments that can improve patients’ outcomes

(Robertson, 2023).

Ethical Concerns

​ If DNA databases play such a pivotal role in helping lives, why does it matter as much if

it poses a threat to genetic security? Why does genetic privacy matter?

​ The process of using genomic data for storage and use brings up ethical and legal issues,

especially regarding informed consent and privacy. In many genomic studies, try to protect

participants by removing personal identifiers and using coded language instead. However, this

data isn’t often protected by the same privacy laws that apply to identifiable information,

meaning research subjects have limited legal protection for their genetic data. And despite the

lack of personal identifiers, there is still a risk of “re-identification”. Methods such as

cross-referencing genetic data with other public records, like voter-registration lists or other

databases that contain details like a person’s name, ZIP code, or birthday. This can make it

possible to identify individuals making it a security risk. This also raises concerns on how to

keep genetic information safe, especially in an age where data can be easily linked across

different sources (Wang, S).

Conclusion

​ In conclusion, DNA databases have transformed forensic science, healthcare, and

medical research, but they also pose significant privacy and ethical concerns. The benefits are

clear in helping to solve crimes, enabling personalized medicine, and advancing research. Yet,

the sensitive nature of genetic data requires stronger protections.

References

Borg Tony. (2024). The Role of DNA Analysis in Forensic Science. Alliant International

University.

https://www.alliant.edu/blog/role-of-dna-analysis-in-forensic-science

Guest C. (2019). DNA and Law Enforcement: How the Use of Open Source DNA Databases

Violates Privacy Rights. American University Law Review.

https://aulawreview.org/blog/dna-and-law-enforcement-how-the-use-of-open-source-dna-

databases-violates-privacy-rights/

Robertson AJ, Mallett AJ, Stark Z, Sullivan C. (2023). It Is in Our DNA: Bringing Electronic

Health Records and Genomic Data Together for Precision Medicine. JMIR

Bioinformatics and Biotechnology.

https://bioinform.jmir.org/2024/1/e55632

Shi X. Wu X. (2016). An Overview of Human Genetic Privacy. National Library of

Medicine. PubMed Central.

​ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5697154/

Wang S, Jiang X, Singh S, Marmor R, Bonomi L, Fox D, Dow M, Ohno-Machado L. (2016).

Genome privacy: Challenges, Technical Approaches to Mitigate Risk, and Ethical

Considerations in the United States. National Library of

Medicine. PubMed Central.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5266631/#S10