One thing I realized now after thinking about the impact of DNA databases is the long-term impact. We already live in a world where law enforcement and the crim

One thing I realized now after thinking about the impact of DNA databases is the long-term impact. We already live in a world where law enforcement and the criminal justice system as a whole can be biased for or against different kinds of people depending on race, gender, background, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and wealth. If law enforcement is able to collect DNA samples and store the DNA of those who are convicted, then they could do statistical analysis on the genetic make-up of criminals by crime. Some people already have concerns about insurance companies getting access to their DNA and discriminating against them using increased prices or refusing to insure them all together. Similar analysis could be used by law enforcement and governments to monitor and apprehend people they suspect might have a higher probability commit a crime. Again, law enforcement already pulls over certain groups of people while they are out driving more often than others without repercussions. Improper use of both DNA databases and statistical analysis can realistically be used to bring about the rise of something that I’ve only ever read about: pre-crime. That we live in a time where big data gets bigger, mass surveillance becomes evermore inescapable, politics more divisive, and government more powerful yet less accountable just makes this one possible but extremely powerful tool of oppression.