DNA database, ID cards & opt-out organ donation

[streaky]

Firstly, as readers will know, I am not a supporter of the proposed National ID Card scheme ... regardless of the excuse.

Secondly, I am a registered organ, blood and bone marrow donor and have been for many years.

Thirdly, I have been accused of paranoia; having been involved in and exposed to certain workings of 'State', my paranoia is healthy and based on experience.


Following on various threads regarding the DNA database and the proposed National ID Card scheme, consider the following scenario to complete the population (literally!) of the DNA database.

1) Gordo has lately proposed an opt-out scheme for organ donation.

2) An ideal vehicle for recording a donor's wishes would be the National Identity Card (it only needs an entry on the chip, not in a database). I can see a more persuasive argument for this than the already lost ones of "the fight against terrorism" and "reducing 'health tourism'".

3) It can be argued that including the donor's blood group, tissue type and DNA would be greatly advantageous in the speedy determination of a suitable recipient for an organ donation (the reverse of the present situation, where a donor is sought).

4) These data will be obtained directly from citizens and/or gleaned from existing data (e.g. NHS patient records ... especialy if computerised under the electronic patient records system now being rolled out) - remember that the "National ID Database" has been 'replaced' by connections to existing databases. The DNA database will be a repository for the data to be entered on the National ID Card.


You can hear the pious statements from Government Ministers (supported by patient representative and disease research organisations) that this will help save sufferers lives and reduce the cost to the tax-payer of on-going NHS treatment ... a "think of the children" in the extreme. In a utopian world, this might well be true (but with government's inate ability to screw computer project up, any benefits are likely to be (a) a long time in coming, (b) significantly less than promised, and (c) a darn sight more expensive than initial and subsequent estimates), but another aspect is that the DNA database will become a much less 'sparse matrix' of the UK population.

This is how government works - a scheme is 'sold' as beneficial, but is later (and often by initial, covert, design) subverted to an alternative purpose.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Streaky

[Smart roadster]

They don't use DNA for organ machining it is done by tissue typing. Yes I know from the tissue sample you can extract DNA. But as it is not required for medical reasons it would be very obvious if it was being taken in an underhanded manner.
I repeat from the other thread, this proposal for opting out has come from the medical proffession and the shade of government is irelevent.

Get your tin foil hats here guaranteed finest baco foil, only £5 for 2

[bitwrx]

Plausible theory. Can't see it happening though. But that's how these things start isn't it....

2 for £5 you say. I'll have four.

[streaky]

Smart roadster said:

They don't use DNA for organ machining [sic] it is done by tissue typing.

I didn't say it was. I said: "It can be argued that including ... DNA would be greatly advantageous in the speedy determination of a suitable recipient ...".

For example, one reason for taking DNA would be to reduce the possibility of passing on genetic abnormalities ... just as blood is (supposed to be) screened for various diseases/infections.

Streaky

PS - the concept of "organ machining" is interesting ... DNA would be of assistance here too - S

Edited by streaky on Wednesday 16th January 14:27

[EU_Foreigner]

So in my case as a UK citizen, but a Dutch passport holder, would I fall into the same ID card trap or can I avoid that scheme as not being domiciled here?