In message Mon, 13 Jun 1994 18:54:10 +0200 (METDST), Mats Bergstrom <matsb@sos.sll.se> writes:

Databases of fingerprints and retina-images might still have a future for specialized applications but DNA-typing (why not on a simple blood sample at birth) combined with a fixed social security number valid for life will probably become a widely used method for governments to control the identity of their serfs. [good stuff elided]

Unfortunately there is no known method of encrypting one's DNA code in situ but hopefully they will safely (in escrow?) encrypt it in the databanks.

This issue came up at the CFP-2 conference (Computers Freedom and Privacy, March 92 edition). There were speakers there claiming that the audience, when getting up from their chairs, would leave sufficient hair, skin flakes, sweat, etc. behind that DNA mapping would be easy. Of course, this mapping would be without the "suspect" having any knowledge of when the map material was gathered. I don't know if this was factual then, but no one rose up to claim that the speaker was in error, and there were lots of folks in the audience that could have challenged it. None did. This speach was a major motivation in my interest in these topics. That, and a chance to listen to Bruce Stirling, DED, and Jim Bidzos... Pat Pat Farrell Grad Student pfarrell@cs.gmu.edu Department of Computer Science George Mason University, Fairfax, VA Public key availble via finger #include <standard.disclaimer>