'Voluntary' DNA Samples, Then Mandatory
Australian Government, Military Prepares For 'Rising Death Rates' In War Zones
Australian soldiers, all 90,000 of them, will be called on to voluntarily supply DNA blood samples to go on a database, reportedly to make the process of ID-ing troops killed in warzones like Iraq and Afghanistan much quicker.
Isn't that what dog tags are for?
And what happened to the ID chips that were being discussed in Australian military circles in 2005?
Obviously, having DNA samples of every Australian soldier provides a hell of a lot more information than dog tags or an ID chip would. Blood and DNA in a database means Australian soldiers can be evaluated for the likelihood of developing illnesses that may not be related to their tours in war zones. That would obviously help later on when it comes time for the Defence Department to dispute medical compensation claims from veterans.
The soldiers' DNA is likely to form the basis for a national DNA database of all citizens.The collection plan will be voluntary in its initial phase because laws prevent soldiers from being forced to give DNA samples against their will.
The newspaper says Australian Defence Force tender documents make it clear that military chiefs want the DNA scheme to be rolled out, and for it to eventually be mandatory.
"In its mature form, it is envisaged that the DNA repository will hold samples from all ADF personnel, with the provision of a blood sample being obligatory," the tender document reads.
School children will be the next in line to supply 'voluntary' samples of DNA and blood, with the reason given that having such genetic information on a national database would mean children would be more quickly indentified in the event of an emergency or tragedy.
