My DNA, My ID: Should the United States create a DNA Bank of all United States residents?

A Webquest for High School Biology

By Nichole Campbell

Introduction

Maria Elena Constant is 16 years old and is suffering from a life threatening illness. She needs a bone marrow transplant but the most likely donors would be a relative. Unfortunately she grew up with her adopted parents since the age of two. She has never met her parents and does not know if she has any other brothers and sisters who can donate a sample to her. (The chances of finding a match increases in family or in your own ethnic group) In addition the search for an appropriate donor is slow and expensive. Maria does not really want to meet and get to know her biological family but they are her best chances of defeating this illness.

Three years ago, 14 year old Carmen was the victim of rape. It was never reported because Carmen felt as if it was her fault. She has gone through a roller coaster of emotions, stints with alcohol and drugs. You see, Carmen got pregnant from that encounter, but she was so ashamed to tell her family the truth about the conception. (The child is being raised by the family.) Now at 17 years old, Carmen has experience a great break through. She is now ready to tell her family the truth and condemn the person who put her through this torture. But how will she back up her story?

Could a DNA bank help to identify a relation that may provide Maria Elena with the help she needs? Or would this undermine the constitutional rights of the biological family as well as their privacy? Could a DNA sample from the child, matched with one from the DNA bank help to back up Carmen’s story or even to identify the perpetrator? Would a DNA bank help to identify criminals more effectively and allow those who have been wrongfully accused a chance to be proven innocent? Or is it an invasion of privacy and violation of people’s constitutional rights?

DNA fingerprinting is used today in murder cases, rape cases and paternity tests. It is used to identify the relationships between different organisms. Today, DNA testing is used in almost every situation. But would it be an easier task if there was DNA Bank of all residents of the United States? Would it be less expensive for people involved in the testing procedure? Would it be constitutional right to require a DNA sample of residents and citizens of the United States?

Task

Using the public policy approach and your knowledge of biology you will analyze the problem of using our DNA as our identification.

· Take a rational position for or against the idea “Creation of a DNA Bank”. (Please submit a written copy of your position.)

· Create a survey to get the views of others on the question “Should a DNA Bank be created for all resident of the United States?” “Would this violate the constitutional rights of the residents?” The survey should consist of 3-5 questions.

· Administer the survey. This will help to develop your position further. (You are asked to submit a copy of your questions and a summary of the results from those surveys)

Process

1. Form a group of 4 members. In your groups read the introduction and the New York Times (Monday, December 10, 2001) article “DNA Clears Virginia Man of 1992 Assault” was published.

2. In your groups use Worksheet 1: Defining the social problem and answer the questions.

3. Brainstorm three reasons for and three reasons against “Should a DNA Bank be created of all residents of the United States?”

4. View the power point presentation provided by your teacher.

5. Follow the steps of the Public Policy Analysis format to develop your position further.

· Worksheet 1: Defining the social problem

· Worksheet 2: Gathering evidence of the problem

· Worksheet 3: Identifying the causes of the problem

· Worksheet 4: Evaluating existing public policies

· Worksheet 5: Developing public policy solutions

Resources

Bridging the future of medicine: UCSF DNA Bank http://www.som.ucsf.edu/departments/dnabank/

DNA Identity Laboratory at the University of North Texas Health Science Center http://www.hsc.unt.edu/patientcare/dna/dnabank.html

Evaluation

Oral Report

Written Report

Standards Addressed

The following standards were met through this activity:

Appendix 1 - Worksheets

Worksheet 1: Defining the Social Problem

Date: Group Members:

1. In one or two sentences, state the nature of the social problem that your group plans to study.

2. What is the specific community location of the social problem? Your answer should include both the governmental authority (e.g. school board, city council) and the particular geographic location (review Internet examples).

3. List at least three undesirable social conditions that result from this problem:

a. ______________________________________________________________________

b. _____________________________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________________________

4. Write a short phrase that summarizes the social problem and its geopolitical location (examples: Hate crimes in Urban, NY; vandalism at Jones Middle School, Anytown, CA; DWI traffic deaths in Texas; the high U.S. budget deficit)

Worksheet 2: Gathering evidence of the problem

Date: Group Members:

Your problem (phrase):

Present evidence that a problem exists. Be as specific as possible and cite at least one source of data:

Worksheet 3: Identifying the causes of the problem

Date: Group Members:

Briefly list several underlying factors that contribute to the problem that you have identified (support these factors with evidence):

Worksheet 4: Evaluating existing public policies

Date: Group Members:

Your problem (phrase):

1. State one of the major existing policies that attempts to deal with the social problem:

2. What are the advantages of this policy (consider effectiveness, costs, enforcement, and public acceptance):

3. What are the disadvantages of this policy? (Consider effectiveness, costs, enforcement, and public acceptance):

4. Based on your evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages, should the current policy be totally replaced, strengthened, or improved? What advantages, if any, from the current policy should be retained? What disadvantages, if any, should be eliminated?

Worksheet 5: Developing public policy solutions

Date: Group Members:

Your problem (phrase):

1. Propose at least three new/original public policy alternatives. Be sure that all of your public policy alternatives are at the same geopolitical level as your social problem. Each alternative must specify the actual government or government agency that will carry out the proposed action. List the proposal that your group considers the most promising first.