Abstracts
Abstract
Recent breakthroughs in criminal investigations, especially of high-profile cold cases, have helped to consolidate the role of DNA analysis in investigative contexts. Consequently, some jurisdictions are looking to expand DNA collection and analysis methods. In Canada, legislation has been proposed to expand the National DNA Databank (NDDB) and to allow familial searching in criminal and forensic investigations. This article outlines the ethical implications of the proposed legislation and, more broadly, of genealogical methods already in use that operate outside the NDDB and rely heavily on for-profit and consumer DNA services. Current DNA analysis within the criminal justice system is heavily regulated and provides important protections not only for individuals but also for genetic relatives whose biometric data is indirectly implicated. In contrast, familial searching poses risks for offender privacy as well as for their relatives. Additionally, the expanding practice of genetic genealogical searching relies on unregulated commercial products that use different technology to expose highly detailed genetic information. This technology falls short of rigorous investigational standards and poses significant problems for informed consent. We conclude that expanding DNA collection within the NDDB to include familial searching risks exacerbating existing systemic bias and that genetic genealogical searching outside of the NDDB is incompatible with existing Canadian legislation that safeguards privacy, genetic non-discrimination, and fundamental rights and freedoms.
Keywords:
- genetic genealogy,
- familial searching,
- criminal investigations,
- Bill S-231,
- genetic privacy,
- discrimination,
- DNA testing technology,
- biometrics
Résumé
Les récentes avancées en matière d’enquêtes criminelles, en particulier dans les affaires non résolues très médiatisées, ont contribué à consolider le rôle de l’analyse d’ADN dans les contextes d’enquête. Par conséquent, certaines juridictions cherchent à étendre les méthodes de collecte et d’analyse de l’ADN. Au Canada, une loi a été proposée pour élargir la Banque nationale de données génétiques (BNDG) et autoriser les recherches familiales dans les enquêtes criminelles et médico-légales. Cet article présente les implications éthiques de la législation proposée et, plus largement, des méthodes généalogiques déjà utilisées qui fonctionnent en dehors de la BNDG et reposent largement sur des services d’ADN à but lucratif et grand public. Les analyses d’ADN effectuées actuellement dans le cadre du système de justice pénale sont fortement réglementées et offrent d’importantes protections non seulement aux individus, mais aussi à leurs parents génétiques, dont les données biométriques sont indirectement impliquées. En revanche, les recherches familiales présentent des risques pour la vie privée des délinquants et de leurs proches. En outre, la pratique de plus en plus répandue de la recherche généalogique repose sur des produits commerciaux non réglementés qui utilisent une technologie différente pour exposer des informations génétiques très détaillées. Cette technologie ne répond pas à des normes d’investigation rigoureuses et pose des problèmes importants en matière de consentement éclairé. Nous concluons que l’élargissement de la collecte d’ADN dans la BNDG pour y inclure la recherche familiale risque d’exacerber les préjugés systémiques existants et que la recherche généalogique génétique à l’extérieur de la BNDG est incompatible avec la législation canadienne actuelle qui protège la vie privée, la non-discrimination génétique et les droits et libertés fondamentaux.
Mots-clés :
- généalogie génétique,
- recherche familiale,
- enquêtes criminelles,
- projet de loi S-231,
- confidentialité génétique,
- discrimination,
- technologie des tests ADN,
- biométrie
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Appendices
Remerciements / Acknowledgements
La recherche a été subventionnée par le Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines et par Génome Canada.
The research was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Genome Canada.
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