Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Berkeley Asking for DNA of Incoming Students

I know what you're thinking. It's too weird to be true. Apparently the University of California at Berkeley, one of the most respected (and liberal) schools in the state is requiring for students to give their DNA when entering the school.

The students will be asked to voluntarily submit a DNA sample. The cotton swabs will come with two bar code labels. One label will be put on the DNA sample and the other is kept for the students own records.

The confidential process is being overseen by Jasper Rine, a campus professor of Genetics and Development Biology, who says the test results will help students make decisions about their diet and lifestyle.

Once the DNA sample is sent in and tested, it will show the student's ability to tolerate alcohol, absorb folic acid and metabolize lactose.

I wonder if this will become a trend. Well, it could be a good thing if it prevents some kid from dying from alcohol poisoning. But if there was a mandatory, regulated taking of DNA samples in order to go to college-- well, there's too many opportunities for an abuse of power to be comfortable.

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