Uncle Sam Wants Your DNA

[backtoblue]

Source: NBC News

The Veterans Administration is hoping there will be power in numbers which is why it has launched the Million Veteran Program.

It hopes to collect DNA samples from veterans for a new research project.

The goal is for scientists to learn more about how genes affect our health.

For example, why do some vets develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and others in the same combat situation don't?




Read more: http://arkansasmatters.com/news-fulltext/?nxd_id=485947

[Poll_Blind]

1. Certainly. And then for insurance companies to use. nt

PB

[backtoblue]

2. It could possibly lead to

developing emotional-suppressing "medicine" that could prevent PSTD. Veterans get PSTD generally due to the horrors of killing another human being, or watching those they care about get killed.

There's this thing called human nature that allows us to feel emotion for the things that we do or see. I hope it doesn't lead to some sort of emotional blocking in the future.

(it might be a far-fetched notion, but it's noteworthy anyhow) :hi:

[saras]

11. you're right, they're already working on it, they have drugs that work great - for some people

I imagine they want to find out why they can't drug some people into mindless killing, and suppress whatever the problem is.

[Alameda]

3. It seems one's DNA can just be taken............go to a dentist

have a procedure, whatever and your DNA has been taken. A big problem is when they start patenting it...........:wtf:

[greiner3]

4. DNA can be taken;

From a blood draw, vaccination, etc... all without your knowledge, much less consent.

The National ID card's proposal includes provisions that ones' DNA information be encoded on the card.

[James48]

5. Already done.

The military services have all been taking DNA swabs on every person since the mid 1990's. They (DoD) already has the DNA information on all soldiers since then. Now what they need to do is simply share information with the VA, and the VA will have all it needs for the studies.

Why is this even being discussed? It's already more than a decade into taking DNA samples of military people.

[backtoblue]

6. Perhaps because this is voluntary.

I'll bet most of the folks getting their mouths swabbed did not realize what DNA was or what it could be used for. nt.

People were generally not aware that their DNA was being taken. Now that they think they have a choice in the matter, it won't cause as big a raucous from the people.

[BadgerKid]

7. Would it be OK to treat the data anonymously?

Problem is, if said military services included controversial or banned methods, then the results of DNA or gene expression studies on these people would be kept confidential.

[FirstLight]

8. that creeps me out

dna for use in breeding/cloning a perfect soldier...? :hide:

[backtoblue]

9. me too

The way our society is going, you really can't be too sure that couldn't happen.

[loudsue]

10. Why do some vets develop PTSD?? Uh. Maybe because they

have deep feelings that got pummelled?

[saras]

12. Copyright your own DNA under a Creative Commons no-commercial-use license

I'd love to see a foundation that funded this. It should be a free service to register with.

[backtoblue]

13. Now that's an idea

Copyright your own before someone else does. nt

[BlueIris]

14. Good luck with that, Unc.

Though I once believed this society was going to wind up looking more and more like Minority Report, now I'm wondering whether people really are going to tolerate this from politicians and their enablers. People who have no credibility left can't violate our privacy rights this way.

And why anyone would voluntarily submit to this is beyond me.

[booksenkatz]

15. He's welcome to swab his lips to see if he picked up any of my DNA after he kisses my ass. NT

[backtoblue]

16. .

:applause: