Brave New World
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Ahh, Britain. Home of Stonehenge, Tudor castles, and Big Brother with a camera on every corner.
Their latest crime prevention measure? They are kicking around the idea of putting children's DNA in a criminal database - but only the ones, identified by behaviors at age 5 or so, who are likely to become criminals.
Do people really think that invading children's privacy, treating kindergarteners like criminals, and making teachers into judge and jury over a students possible future actions is a good thing? What could a five year old possible do that would indicate he is going to become a lifelong violent criminal? Any terrible action that I can think of is a more likely indicator that better parenting, a different educational approach, or some other intervention is needed - not that he's the next Hannibal Lecter.
Well, at least we don't have to worry about that here. As long a kid can pass the DNA test before birth and survive any "choices" his parents might make regarding sex, number of babies, and genetic disorders, he might be ok.
H/T Second Hand Smoke.
Their latest crime prevention measure? They are kicking around the idea of putting children's DNA in a criminal database - but only the ones, identified by behaviors at age 5 or so, who are likely to become criminals.
If we have a primary means of identifying people before they offend, then in the long-term the benefits of targeting younger people are extremely large,' said Pugh. 'You could argue the younger the better. Criminologists say some people will grow out of crime; others won't. We have to find who are possibly going to be the biggest threat to society.'
snip
Last week it emerged that the number of 10 to 18-year-olds placed on the DNA database after being arrested will have reached around 1.5 million this time next year. Since 2004 police have had the power to take DNA samples from anyone over the age of 10 who is arrested, regardless of whether they are later charged, convicted, or found to be innocent.
Do people really think that invading children's privacy, treating kindergarteners like criminals, and making teachers into judge and jury over a students possible future actions is a good thing? What could a five year old possible do that would indicate he is going to become a lifelong violent criminal? Any terrible action that I can think of is a more likely indicator that better parenting, a different educational approach, or some other intervention is needed - not that he's the next Hannibal Lecter.
Well, at least we don't have to worry about that here. As long a kid can pass the DNA test before birth and survive any "choices" his parents might make regarding sex, number of babies, and genetic disorders, he might be ok.
H/T Second Hand Smoke.
Labels: In The News, Prolife
posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 3/18/2008 09:32:00 AM | Permalink |
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