It’s strange that we don’t require police officers, soldiers, or anyone paid by the government to provide a DNA sample before serving. We already fingerprint, drug test, and run background checks. A DNA record would make it easier to solve crimes, clear the innocent, and hold people accountable—especially those who carry weapons or authority on the public’s behalf. If we trust them with that kind of power, we should also expect that level of transparency.
The military in the United States of America has been collecting DNA since the 90's. With the advice of my commanding officer I was able to stall them long enough using the FOIA process to just finish my time in the military. My suspicions were correct in that the cheif medical officer of the DoD can determine the use, storage, protection, privacy, handling, who has access, etc... of that DNA data of which there was at the time zero protection. I have no idea if they have added any legal protection around that data as of 2025. That process was in conflict with the very oath I swore to upon joining the armed forces.
Hospitals in California and possibly a few other states have been collecting DNA data from babies right after child-birth since the early 2000's.
A national treasure.
It’s strange that we don’t require police officers, soldiers, or anyone paid by the government to provide a DNA sample before serving. We already fingerprint, drug test, and run background checks. A DNA record would make it easier to solve crimes, clear the innocent, and hold people accountable—especially those who carry weapons or authority on the public’s behalf. If we trust them with that kind of power, we should also expect that level of transparency.
The military in the United States of America has been collecting DNA since the 90's. With the advice of my commanding officer I was able to stall them long enough using the FOIA process to just finish my time in the military. My suspicions were correct in that the cheif medical officer of the DoD can determine the use, storage, protection, privacy, handling, who has access, etc... of that DNA data of which there was at the time zero protection. I have no idea if they have added any legal protection around that data as of 2025. That process was in conflict with the very oath I swore to upon joining the armed forces.
Hospitals in California and possibly a few other states have been collecting DNA data from babies right after child-birth since the early 2000's.