Alzheimer's Unethical Issues

Over 60 countries now have operating genetic databases that contain millions of people’s genetic information. There DNA is used for genetic studies and to identify genetic similarities in a family. This DNA can also be used to identify the perpetrator in a crime by comparing their DNA to the DNA found at the crime scene. But as gene banks have become more common around the world some have grown to question the sharing of this information internationally and the potential for hacking and abuse of the information.(yg, 2015) Gene banks have opened doors to many genetic discoveries, but they have constantly raised ethical questions pertaining to the privacy of one’s biological information and that the information could lead to potential discrimination.

This information can then be compared and analyzed to look for genetic markers and diseases.(Wiki, 2016) Often someone’s blood is drawn and then tested and put into electronic health records. Having an abundance of genetic records has allowed for quicker identification of disease markers and susceptibility based on one’s genome. Organizations such as biotech companies are amassing private collections of DNA to collaborate with population databases and biobanks in hopes of furthering knowledge about the populaces’ genetics.(Nature, 2013) At the University of Nottingham in the UK, scientists are using the collections of DNA to research the genetics of Alzheimer's disease and have already discovered 21 Alzheimer's risk genes. The availability of these DNA banks have helped scientists understand the biology behind Alzheimer’s and may lead to new treatments for the neurodegenerative disease.(Walker, 2014) DNA is the source of every protein, cell, etc. in our body, if we expand DNA banks we can discover treatments, preventions, and cures for many of the biggest diseases facing the world

The world’s biggest DNA database in the UK, held- 1,766,000 DNA samples of innocents, 1,672,000 unauthorized fingerprints, and 7,753,000 DNA samples with sensitive personal biological material- before they were deleted because of the 2012 UK Protection of Freedoms Bill. Fear of this type of illegal mass data collection happening again still resonates in people’s minds. The integration of everyone’s DNA into these banks infringed upon their natural human rights and privacy.(yg, 2015) This is where many dispute about whether the benefits outweigh the privacy issues, especially the danger the populace could be in if their information was in the wrong hands. Also there are no privacy regulations in place to keep the government from sharing the genetic information with other organizations such as insurance companies. DNA is filled with limitless information about physical appearance and genetic disorders and it also has a very long shelf life, thus it is rarely ever destroyed. Because of how the DNA is stored any database could potentially be hacked. The 2008 Counter-Terrorism Act allows the government to track anyone’s biological information as long as they are a suspect, but they could say any of us were “suspects” and this could lead to violating many people’s privacy rights. As databases expand, so does the potential for sharing of genetic data between international