Wonderment and Dread: Representations of DNA in Ethical Disputes about Forensic DNA Databases

Williams, R; Johnson, P.

doi:10.1080/1463677042000237035

Wonderment and Dread: Representations of DNA in Ethical Disputes about Forensic DNA Databases

Williams, R; Johnson, P.

Authors

Professor Robin Williams robin.williams@durham.ac.uk
Emeritus Professor

P. Johnson

Abstract

The national DNA Database of England & Wales is the largest forensic DNA database in the world. Since 1995 it has quickly developed to hold the genetic profiles of over two million people. This collection of tissue samples, taken without consent from a sizeable collection of the population, has engendered a number of ethical commentaries on its legitimacy as a proportionate response to crime. This paper examines the ways in which the ethical discourses, which surround the uses of the National DNA Database, drew upon and deployed a number of distinct representations of DNA. It is argued that key ideas about DNA have become central to everyday assertions about the benefits and dangers of this forensic technology.

Citation

Williams, R., & Johnson, P. (2004). Wonderment and Dread: Representations of DNA in Ethical Disputes about Forensic DNA Databases. New Genetics and Society, 23(2), 205-223. https://doi.org/10.1080/1463677042000237035

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Aug 1, 2004
Deposit Date	Aug 7, 2008
Publicly Available Date	Aug 7, 2008
Journal	New Genetics and Society
Print ISSN	1463-6778
Electronic ISSN	1469-9915
Publisher	Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	23
Issue	2
Pages	205-223
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1080/1463677042000237035