The Future of Genetic Privacy? Spray promises to remove all traces of DNA from surfaces
Source: dailymail.co.uk
Everywhere you go you run the risk of leaving traces of your DNA behind – from fingerprints, to skin, hair and cigarette butts.A Brooklyn-based firm is so concerned this DNA could be collected and stored by authorities it has created a range of sprays designed to help people delete it from all surfaces.
A limited number of Invisible sprays are due to go on sale in June for $99 (£58) to protect people’s privacy, but, in theory, it could also be used by criminals to commit crimes without getting caught.
The Invisible range of sprays was created by genetic privacy company BioGenFutures, set up by artist Heather Dewey-Hagborg.
Last year, Dewey-Hagborg set up the Stranger Visions exhibition in which she created realistic 3D portrait sculptures of strangers using DNA she collected from public places.
According to the BioGenFutures sites, Invisible is a set of sprays that can be used to remove or obfuscate a person’s residual DNA left on door handles, keyboards, train seats, or in restaurants and pubs.
The first spray is called Erase and it’s an ‘antiDNA cleaning product’ similar to a disinfectant spray.
’Replace’, on the other hand, is an obfuscation spray that adds a mixture of genetic material to a DNA sample to cloak the details of the original.
This means customers can either wipe everything clean, or leave an alternate DNA sample to protect their privacy.
The site does, however, feature endorsements from genetic experts including Jeremy Gruber, President of the Council for Responsible Genetics who said: ‘No-one should be able to take another person’s DNA without consent and mine it for information.
‘The promises of the genetic revolution will not be fully realised if concerns over unauthorised testing of DNA and its misuse are not addressed. Invisible represents a critical step towards achieving that goal.’
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Read the full article at: dailymail.co.uk
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