This story on the BBC really alarmed me. Until I saw that article it never occured to me that we were so close to a society like that in Gattaca. I’ve grudingly accepted the CCTV and the DNA databases of *convicted* offenders, but now I feel it’s starting to go a little too far.
As a citizen of the UK, I’m already a member of the most watched population on earth. Last week the government along with PITO(I think) mentioned a national rollout of automatic number plate recognition. We already have one of the biggest databases of DNA in the world, now they are examining the idea of rolling that out to the entire populous. 
At least the Human Genetics Commission have recognised the inherit moral and social issues. However they also mention the cost, and I have a feeling that is of more importance to those in power than the rights of the individual.
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC
“We have concluded that there are important ethical, legal and social barriers to genetic profiling of this kind, although there could be medical advantages in the future.
“It is important that research continues in order to establish how far profiling could be clinically useful, and it is critical that developments are kept under review.
“Specifically, we are recommending to government that the entire topic should be revisited in five years, when technologies will have moved on and the prospect of this becoming a reality is closer.”
One final thing, if you haven’t seen Gattaca go and watch it now. If you can watch it on DVD and have a look at the coda in the special features.
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