No, Jon, DNA is NOT "just another unique fingerprint". It is the blueprint of your entire makeup and never should be the property of the State.

David, Bromley,

"That the forensic use of DNA is saving lives and bringing killers to justice seems self-evident..." Yes, and so it is. And I cannot see what possible implications it might have in regard to the oft cried 'infringement of human rights'? We are talking about an information base which is rapidly becoming a proven tool for the detection of perpetrators of crime and their subsequent conviction. Persdonally I have committed no crime, nor am I going to start. So in what way would it 'infringe my human rights' to have my DNA on such a database? Only those who prefer to live outside the law, those who have some dark skeleton in their cupboard, have any cause to fear it or justification for objecting to it.

S. Barraclough, Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire

A very good article, thank you. As stated it is self evident from recent events that the Government, the health service, and local authorities are incredibly sloppy about keeping confidential information secure.
Therefore the point stated twice in this article does not hold. The innocent have a great deal to fear by handing over their intimate details.

Further, with a current craze for privatisation, there's no protection against our DNA being leaked or sold to private interests, Insurance companies would grab any chance at it, so would big employers. Who has potential disabilities is big business indeed.

But the worst is not sloppiness, or greed, or pennypinching privatisation. It's malice. The recent outcry re the secret Family Courts has begun to reveal the bad motives of social workers who handle confidential information.
The social services are far worse than the police at wrenching lives apart on no evidence or twisted evidence - but police do it too.

Shan Morgain, Newport Wales, UK

We are continually warned to protect our identity on the web, but are increasingly being monitored by government agencies. Whether we accept it or not, there is an element of corruption in the police, post office, local and central government. This, coupled with inoficient working practices, makes a DNA database dangerous. Maybe, when security is foolproof, a database would benefit us all.

Rowland Hughes, BRIDGEND,

Once the genie of a “call for DNA Database” has been let out of the bottle, it will not fit back in. The government’s refusal to back calls for the furtherance of the state’s powers over the individual is in itself unusual. Brown’s tendencies to micromanagement are well documented.

Each outrage, whether related to terrorism, violent crime, binge drinking or obesity, has been greeted with reactionary calls for more controls and restrictions to our freedoms. The encroachment of the power of the state is now such that it is too fast even for the instincts of the EU.

The populace is overwhelmingly composed of the law abiding wishing to go about their business free from state interference in the knowledge that they have done nothing to incur the disapproval of their peers.

The root of our judicial system, Habeus Corpus, is more at risk today than ever before. The memory of the blood of our ancestors that was spilt in the cause of its preservation should remain red and fresh.

Edwin, Bucharest,

The analysis presented is entirely correct in all avenues of argument. My problem is that once the genie of a ‘call for DNA Database’ has been let out of the bottle, it will not fit back in. The government’s refusal to back calls for further encroachment of the states powers over the individual is in itself unusual. How long its position will remain is debatable – Brown’s tendencies to micromanagement are documented.

Each new outrage, whether related to terrorism, violent crime, binge drinking, obesity, has been greeted with reactionary calls from authorities for more controls, bans, monitoring and restrictions to the freedoms of the general populace. The encroachment of the power of the state is now such that it is too fast even for the instincts of the EU.

The general populace is overwhelmingly composed of law abiding subjects who wish to go about their business free from state interference and in the knowledge that they have done nothing incur the disapproval of their peers.

Edwin, Bucharest,

I dont see what the problem is ? Dna is used to eliminate a lot more people than is to convict them.The argument about civil liberties being eroded is old news.It happened yrs ago,its old hat now,a bit like trying to close the gate after the horses have well and truly bolted.Dna is just another unique fingerprint,same as Iris recognition etc .If it helps catch and bang up those guilty of a crime then life's a bitch and then you die.

Jon , poulton le fylde, UK

The answer should be, Never!

The question is, why is this being raised now?

Penny Georgiou, London, UK

Why not get paid for your DNA? Everything these days is a commodity why not this?

Neil , Middlesbrough, Cleveland

I say this to the government, if I have nothing to hide then stop looking.

Cameron, London,