U.S. seeks to widely expand DNA database

[RACooper]

Depends on the DNA testing done - LCN (Low Copy Number) DNA tests are about as exact as fingerprints, but it isn't perfectly exact since it uses "partial" result to identify people; but it's popular since it can be used with very minute examples. Whereas an STR (Short Tandem Repeat) DNA tests need more of a sample to work with, but are incredibly exact with matches equal to something like 1 in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 - in other words there is on only a 1 in a quintillion chance that the DNA profile matches some one else (good odds considering that humanity hasn't even come close to a quintillion individuals in the sum of our existence).

Basically the more loci needed to be declared a "match" the better since it significantly decreases the odds of a "mis-match" - the US uses 13 loci which puts it at the top of the list for standards of identification.

[honeychile]

If you had asked me this even a month ago, I would have been all for it. But now that they've proven that DNA can change with a transplant, I'm more wary about it. Maybe it would be more viable if the person who receives the transplant could also verify whose DNA could be mixed with their own.

[PeppyGPhiB]

I worry about how the samples and data will be stored. I do NOT trust the government when it comes to computer databases. It's proved in the past that its systems are easier to crack than any number of IT companies'.