SCHOOLS DEBATES 2011 PROVINCIAL TOPIC
DNA in forensics - will a DNA database curb South Africa's crime problem?
Introduction
Biotechnology is the use of living things to create useful tools and products. It has been
around for centuries in baking bread, brewing beer and wine, making cheese and compost.
All living things contain DNA. Modern biotechnology owes itself to the discovery of the
structure of DNA. Two scientists called Watson and Crick discovered the double helix
structure of DNA over 50 years ago. This discovery led to an explosion of genetic research
and the development of many new technologies, including modern biotechnology.
Biotechnology is divided into three ‘generations’:
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First generation biotechnology involves the use of wild type (genetically unmodified)
or natural biological organisms to produce a product, for example, the use of yeast
to make beer or wine.
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Second generation biotechnology refers to the production of specific products using
a pure cell or tissue culture of organisms that have been specifically selected for
their superior production or expression abilities without introducing foreign DNA.
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Third generation biotechnology involves manipulation of the DNA of organisms, by
introducing selected foreign (across the species barrier) DNA, through recombinant
DNA technology (think of it as literally recombining DNA i.e. making a new DNA
sequence from two different DNA sequences from two different organisms) , to
make them produce small molecules, compounds or proteins. For example follicle
stimulating hormone (which is important in regulating reproductive processes) was
previously isolated from the urine of post-menopausal women, but can now be
made using recombinant DNA technology.
Some important areas of application of biotechnology include bioremediation, forensics and
agriculture.
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The use of biotechnology in agriculture is very important, economically and socially. To
address various issues and needs of the modern farmer, biotechnologists have created
special kinds of crops that contain genetically modified DNA to make them pest resistant
and more “nutritious”.
Bioremediation refers to the removal of pollution from soil and water using naturally
occurring organisms. For example the water that is released from mines in and around
Johannesburg is highly acidic. Releasing this water into the surrounding environment has
had devastating effects on the animal and plant life. To solve this problem, some
biotechnologists came up with the idea to use sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB’s) and raw
sewage (for the bacteria to feed on). The bacteria are able to neutralize the acidity of the
water by releasing an alkaline (basic) substance into the water. The raw sewage, which
serves as a food source for the bacteria naturally degrades, thus unused sewage is not
problematic.
Forensics (which is the application of a variety of disciplines in criminal investigations)
makes use of biotechnology to detect the DNA of a human being from hair, blood or a little
bit of skin, and provides a means of identifying criminals who leave traces of their DNA at a
crime scene. This is known as forensic DNA analysis. It is an area of policing that is not
commonly used in South Africa because of the cost of analysing the DNA and the amount of
time it takes (the only forensics centers in the country are in Gauteng, so all DNA samples
are sent to a single lab for analysis, creating a backlog). The question for this debate is
whether or not a DNA database could be helpful in the fight against crime?
DNA in forensics – will a DNA database curb South Africa’s crime problem?
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the main constituent of the chromosomes of all organisms,
and is found in the form of a double helix within the nucleus of every somatic cell. Each
person, with the exception of genetically identical twins, has a unique DNA sequence that
does not change during his lifetime. A small sample of human body cells can be decoded to
reveal a specific DNA pattern. This technique is commonly used in police investigations and
is termed ‘DNA fingerprinting’.
The first government database (NDNAD) was set up by the United Kingdom in April 1995
and now houses over 5 million DNA fingerprints. There are those strongly in favour of a
national DNA database, which would assist police officers in arresting criminal and courts in
properly convicting them. Those against the database site the violation of privacy as well as
the high cost of the database as reasons not to have it.
Below is a range of issues for you to consider.
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Utilitarian
At present South Africa has the highest crime rate in the world, with the highest number of
rapes and murders anywhere in the world (it is estimated that one woman is raped every 26
seconds in South Africa). The incidents of crime are high as are the number of repeat
offenders i.e., many criminals will commit a crime more than once in their lives (this is called
recidivism). Approximately 90% of convicted rapists have a previous conviction. There are
three camps of people who support a DNA database. One camp would have ALL citizens
submit their DNA to the database (your DNA would be submitted at birth for example), the
second would have only those who are arrested submit their DNA whilst the third camp
would have only those who are convicted of a crime submit their DNA. There are arguments
against each of these. It has been argued that requiring all citizens to submit their DNA
would be an infringement on the right to privacy since databases are often available to a
wide number of groups, companies or individuals. The argument has also been made that
arrests are often not fairly made. For example, in countries where a DNA database exists a
disproportionately high number of black men are on the database because black men are
often unfairly arrested on suspicion of a crime. Finally it has been argued that the conviction
of a criminal is enough and since he/she is likely to be in jail for a number of years the
database is not as useful as it is made to seem.
Socio-cultural
Technology has often advanced a society’s views on issues even where society did not want
or like the advancement. For example In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and surrogate motherhood
allowed homosexual couples to have children. In many cases the primary argument against
homosexuality has been that men and women marry to procreate. In the case of DNA
fingerprinting it is argued that a certain stride is made toward the loss of privacy rights. The
slippery-slope argument is made that if we will allow this invasion into our privacy, what
else will we allow. Many fear that the creation of such a database creates an Orwellian-like
Big Brother state where governments are all powerful and can intrude on citizens’ lives at
will. It is argued that at present police are able to administer breathalyser and blood tests,
which are just as invasive. DNA can be extracted from saliva, hair or skin cells, thus the
procedures are not at all invasive.
Economic
DNA profiling is a highly costly exercise. A cost-benefit analysis should be undertaken. Do
the benefits of a DNA database (if any) justify the high price tag? Are there other cheaper
options that could help with the crime problem in South Africa? A further draw back for a
country like South Africa would be the workability of the database given resource
limitations. To make the database truly effective the costs would have to include a forensics
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centre in as many cities and towns as possible. Police would have to be trained in collecting
DNA samples and handling them before they are sent to the laboratory. Staff would have to
be hired to man the laboratories and equipment would have to be bought for the
laboratories to be fully operational. The DNA database may not work since the South African
Police Services are notorious for their inability to catch and arrest criminals.
Democratisation of Science
The creation of a DNA database is already a reality in South Africa. The National DNA
Database (for Criminal Intelligence) holds the DNA profiles of certain suspects arrested, and
thereafter convicted, for recordable offences and DNA profiles collected from some crime
scenes. Currently Parliament is reviewing an important new Bill called the Criminal Law
(Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill [B2-2009] which, when passed, will ensure that every
person arrested for an alleged offence, as well as all convicted offenders, will have their
DNA profiles loaded onto the Database. Interestingly, for a piece of legislation with so many
ramifications on personal privacy, the Bill has not been well publicised or publicly debated.
Should citizens have a say in the way that the criminal justice system applies to them,
especially on an issue as controversial as DNA fingerprinting?
Advancement of Science
The process for isolating, identifying and matching DNA is relatively well defined. However
where any one of these processes needs to be hastened or performed in a remote setting,
the possibility of innovation arises. The most important advancement however, would be
the increased discussion around DNA and the science that underpins the fingerprinting
process. Here a dramatic increase in education and awareness drives could result.
Conclusion
DNA is the building block of all life. It is unique to each person and is thus possibly the most
accurate identification tool that we have. Where crime is one of the major problems facing
South Africa, could a DNA database be useful? Are we willing to bare the economic cost?
Would you be willing to have your DNA in a database?
Consider what you have read above in your further research and in the arguments you
generate.
Good luck!
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Suggested Additional Reading:
http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:_National_DNA_database
http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=139
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/nov/19/comprehensivedna-database
http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:_DNA_database_of_criminals
http://www.spaceship-earth.de/Letters/Editor/A_voluntary_DNA_database.html
http://www.angryharry.com/esdnadatabase.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8354740.stm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2477559.ece
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7764069.stm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/henryporter/2009/nov/12/uk-defying-eu-lawdna-database
http://dnaproject.co.za/dna-project/dna-database
http://dnaproject.co.za/dna-project/dna-database
Compiled by MUNSA
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