Genetic Testimony

When DNA profiling was first introduced into the American legal system in 1987, it was heralded as a technology that would revolutionize law enforcement. As an investigative tool, it has lived up to much of this hype—it is regularly used to track down unknown criminals, put murderers and rapists behind bars, and exonerate the innocent. Yet, this promise took ten turbulent years to be fulfilled. In Genetic Witness, Jay D. Aronson uncovers the dramatic early history of DNA profiling that has been obscured by the technique’s recent success. He demonstrates that robust quality control and quality assurance measures were initially nonexistent, interpretation of test results was based more on assumption than empirical evidence, and the technique was susceptible to error at every stage. Most of these issues came to light only through defense challenges to what prosecutors claimed to be an infallible technology. Although this process was fraught with controversy, inefficiency, and personal antagonism, the quality of DNA evidence improved dramatically as a result. Aronson argues, however, that the dream of a perfect identification technology remains unrealized.

For undergraduate courses in introductory-level Human Genetics, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology courses. Also appropriate as a resource for law schools, legal clinics, and law enforcement offices. Part of the "Prentice Hall Exploring Biology Series", DNA Forensics explores the subject of modern DNA profiling in straightforward language, requiring and is aimed at students with little background in science or biotechnology. It raises controversial questions about the uses and potential misuses of DNA forensics; and illustrates issues by presenting recent criminal cases involving DNA profiling. A valuable resource for undergraduate science students, it introduces basic concepts of genetics and biotechnology in the context of one of the most important developments in modern criminal investigation.

During the Cold War, a Secret Service agent is murdered and atomic bomb blueprints are stolen. Intent on solving the crime, FBI agent Ben Connars soon finds himself trapped in an old obsession that almost destroyed his life. When Ben's struggle to cope with it intersects with the phenomenon of genetic memory, his drivenness takes on new force. He puts everything at risk, including the life of a young boy whose genetic recall of his murdered grandfather's memories could lead Ben to the killer.

In 2006, the auditor investigated companies selling direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests and testified that these companies made medically unproven disease predictions. Experts are concerned that the test results mislead consumers. The auditor was asked to investigate DTC genetic tests currently on the market and the advertising methods used to sell these tests. Kutz purchased 10 tests each from four companies, for $299 to $999 per test. He then selected five donors and sent two DNA samples from each donor to each co.: one using factual info. about the donor and one using fictitious info., such as incorrect age and race or ethnicity. The fictitious consumers received test results that are misleading and of little or no practical use. Illus.

Raising hopes for disease treatment and prevention, but also the specter of discrimination and "designer genes," genetic testing is potentially one of the most socially explosive developments of our time. This book presents a current assessment of this rapidly evolving field, offering principles for actions and research and recommendations on key issues in genetic testing and screening. Advantages of early genetic knowledge are balanced with issues associated with such knowledge: availability of treatment, privacy and discrimination, personal decision-making, public health objectives, cost, and more. Among the important issues covered: Quality control in genetic testing. Appropriate roles for public agencies, private health practitioners, and laboratories. Value-neutral education and counseling for persons considering testing. Use of test results in insurance, employment, and other settings.