Paper+2+Exam+Question

Area of impact: Science and Environment
The national DNA database for the United Kingdom (UK) currently contains the personal information and DNA data for approximately 4.5 million people. Each individual has a unique DNA code. Currently, DNA samples are only collected from people who are arrested by the police. The DNA data is permanently stored in the DNA database regardless of whether the individuals are found guilty of the crime or not. This DNA database is already the largest relational database of this type in the world.

The UK government now wants to expand the use of the DNA database by including the DNA data from all people living in the UK. This is controversial because it would also include collecting the DNA data from children at birth. Some government officials are concerned because they feel that this expansion would be undesirable and raise significant technical and ethical issues.

[Source: adapted from “Nation of suspects” fear on DNA, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7261361.stm, 24 February 2008]

(a) Define the term relational database. [2 marks]

(b) Describe the process of how a particular person’s DNA could be checked against data in the national DNA database to see if their DNA data has been stored. [4 marks]

(c) Explain two security measures that would need to be implemented by a government before a national DNA database can be introduced. [4 marks]

(d) Evaluate the possible impacts on UK citizens of collecting DNA data from children at birth. [10 marks]