Jim Treacher has a nice take on UC decision to ask incoming students for a DNA sample:
Reminder: The city of San Francisco is boycotting the state of Arizona for reserving the right to ask people for a driver’s license. That’s the worst thing since Hitler. But asking for a sample of your genetic code is fine. It’s voluntary! And confidential! And, and, hey, it’s for your own good!
Some of the reasoning behind this questionable invasion of privacy?
...the test results will help students make decisions about their diet and lifestyle.
Once the DNA sample is sent in and tested, it will show the student’s ability to tolerate alcohol, absorb folic acid and metabolize lactose.
"Show the student’s ability to tolerate alcohol"? Hmmm. One good frat party could do that!
Sounds like the nanny state run amok. We don't want to merely advise you as to what you should and shouldn't eat or drink, but we want to be able to tell you the exact quantities as well.
What would the legal ramifications be, if any, if a student were shown to have genetically, a low tolerance for alcohol and then went binge drinking anyway? Would the school, having known this, be in any way culpable for what could happen?
Or if there is a rape on campus, any chance that DNA samples could be matched with the school's data base? Would the responsibility to keep their students safe override their promise to keep the results confidential?
Could the school be accused morally of sheltering a rapist or other criminal if they refused to share their results?
While not planning on doing any binge drinking or committing any crimes, I'm not sure I'd want the school to have my DNA just the same!
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