The HGC has published a citizen’s inquiry report regarding the national DNA database.

The Human Genetics Commission (HGC) has published a citizen’s inquiry report regarding the controversial national DNA database, which currently holds the DNA data of four million people, the majority of which are young men – while one third of all black men in the UK have their details recorded on it.

The national DNA database is the largest of any given country and is currently regulated by the Home Office, while the HGC is one of the groups represented on the database’s Board. It contains DNA details taken from crime scenes and people held in police custody to help the police to identify offenders more quickly, make earlier arrests and secure more convictions, among other things.

Alice Maynard is chair of the HGC’s working group. She explained why the citizen’s inquiry was held: “We wanted to hear the public’s views on the development of the national DNA database and, in particular, whether storing the DNA profiles of victims and suspects who are not charged or are subsequently acquitted is justified by the need to fight crime.”

Thirty people directed the research over a six-week period. The report’s key points include the recommendation that the database should be placed under the power of one independent statutory authority, and that more information should be given to a person when their DNA is obtained.

Other recommendations include the implementation of rules whereby DNA samples can be obtained by force in specific situations, and that people who give DNA samples should not have their ethnicity recorded.

A previous similar study revealed that 42% of all those surveyed thought that everyone’s DNA should be held on a national database. One comment received during the survey stated that “if you have nothing to hide then having your DNA on record should not be a problem”.

One point commonly raised regarding the database is the issue of personal privacy. However, the Home Office states “any intrusion of personal privacy is proportionate to the benefits that are gained” and cites 422 homicides (murder and manslaughter) and 645 rapes as crimes matched against the database during 2005–2006.

The inquiry was commissioned by the HGC in partnership with the ESRC Genomics Policy & Research Forum and the Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences Research Centre (PEALS).

To view the report’s findings in full, click here.