one million volunteers. This would be just one of many government run DNA databases around

目前有一百萬人自願參加 全球許多國家擁有基因庫 這只是其中一例

the world, ones proposed for a variety of well meaning reasons, like healthcare and

成立基因庫用意良善 像是醫療照護與防治犯罪

preventing

crimes. But many people are worried that this “precision medicine” is the ultimate example

不過許多人擔心 這帖「良藥」根本是「老大哥」翻版 也侵犯隱私

of

Big Brother and another step in ending privacy for good. So, are DNA databases worth it?

究竟成立DNA資料庫 是否利大於弊？

The first DNA database was started in the UK in 1995. Soon, other countries followed

DNA資料庫首見於1995年英國 之後其他國家起而仿效

suit. A

2008 Interpol study of 149 countries found that 54 nations had a national DNA database

2008年國際刑警組織調查149國後 發現其中54國擁有全國性DNA資料庫

and

26 others planned to start one. For the most part these databases started as a way to track

更有26國未來打算成立 這些資料庫一開始的目的是為了搜捕罪犯

and

catch criminals. And it’s worked. Using its own DNA database, the US’s FBI has helped

成效也很卓著 美國FBI自己成立DNA資料庫

solve

靠著它破了不少案

innumerable crimes. These cases have even exonerated innocent people who were facing

這些案件甚至包括 還無辜的死刑犯清白

execution. And Chinese police have also set up a DNA database that has connected over

中國警方也設有DNA資料庫

2,000

kidnapped children with their parents.

靠著資料庫 2000名遭綁兒童得以重回父母懷抱

But, the effectiveness of using DNA is not what people are concerned about. It’s how

不過 大家擔心的並不是DNA的使用成效

large

these databases are growing.

而是這些資料庫成長速度過於驚人

Originally, DNA was only collected from people who were convicted of crimes. However now,

一開始 只有遭到判刑才會被採集DNA

in countries like the United States, DNA samples are taken from people even if they are simply

現在的情況則是 像美國這些國家

suspected of or questioned about a crime. This has grown the FBI database into the largest

任何人只要涉嫌或遭到訊問 就會被採集DNA 讓FBI資料庫迅速成長 成為全球第一

in

the world, with more than 3.5% of the country’s DNA on file.

美國超過3.5%人口 基因建檔入庫

If Obama’s new DNA program is deemed a success then it’s not unthinkable that one day

若是歐巴馬新推的DNA計畫真的成功

most of the population’s DNA will be filed by the government. Advocates of the scheme

不難想像 政府未來可能強制規定大多數人基因歸檔

suggest

that the general population shouldn’t be fearful of the new proposal as the database

支持者認為 大家不必害怕這項新計畫

would

only be utilized to support healthcare initiatives and catch criminals. But while this could

因為DNA資料庫的用途 只侷限於醫療照護與打擊犯罪

mean

crimes are easier to solve, experts worry that mismanagement of such a system could

雖然這可能意味著 案子不再那麼棘手 專家仍擔憂 若資料庫管理不當

leave the

database open to hackers. And others sceptics are concerned that supporting the new program

可能讓駭客有機可趁 也有人擔憂 若支持這項新計畫

is one step closer to mandatory DNA samples for every man, woman and child in the country.

可能變相鼓勵 未來全民強制採集DNA樣本

What do you think about DNA databases? Should all countries adopt them? Let us know in the

你對DNA資料庫有和看法？ 所有國家都該成立嗎？

comments below, and make sure to Subscribe to get all the latest TestTube videos!

在意見欄分享你的看法 也別忘了訂閱頻道 觀賞最新TestTube影片