DNA terrorism
From Blindside
Contents |
[edit] What is it
Brief abstract of the emerging technology
[edit] Impact & Maturity assessment
The posibility exists that the capabilities of technologies working with DNA are over-estimated, and that failure rates are under-reported, leading to false positives and false negatives in tests for diseases and paternity. Should DNA testing become a principal identification tool for police, military intelligence and health organisations, the vulnerability of such testing will be quickly exposed and public opinion may turn against further use of such testing. We give this an Impact Level of 2, as it is in the commercial interests of vendors to correct any issues regarding accuracy, and a Maturity Level of 1, as this is a limited field with few operators.
[edit] Information Assurance issues
Answer: what seem to be the likely information assurance issues of the emerging technology under discussion
[edit] Timescale
Is the impact of this emerging technology felt - now (less than 18 months) - in 2-5 years? - in 5-25 years - longer-term than that even
[edit] Examples
A DNA extraction reagent developed by scientists in New Zealand and launched in February 2006 that is expected to play a key role in countering terrorism and establishing food safety. (http://www.waikatolink.ac.nz/news/ZyGEM_launch_16020.pdf)
A University of Ulster DNA finger printing technique leads fight against bio-terrorism (http://www.hoise.com/vmw/03/articles/vmw/LV-VM-04-03-18.html)
Applied Biosystems Human Identification solutions (http://marketing.appliedbiosystems.com/HID)
[edit] Comments (attributed)
What people say about this emerging technology (attributed)
[edit] Organisations
[edit] Documents & research papers
The Future of Forensic DNA Testing: Predictions of the Research and Development Working Group http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/183697.pdf
[edit] Experts (academic, practitioner)
Links to academic experts or expert practitioners and commentators on this emerging technology
Alastair Kent, Director of the Genetic Interest Group
Prof. John Harris, Professor of Bioethics, The University of Manchester
Dr. Paul Debenham, Director of Technology & Innovation, The LGC
