DNA technology

4. Should we sequence everybody’s DNA at birth and keep the information in a database? If so, who should have access to that information? Discuss some of the ethical implications that have arisen about how it could be used?

If a national database of DNA was created it could help the justice system immensely, it could be more readily available and more reliable than the current fingerprinting system. In addition, unlike fingerprints, DNA can last decades when other evidence has disappeared with time, allowing the justice department to go back and re-examine cases from previous decades. However it is debated if environmental conditions such as sunlight, chemicals or human tampering could alter the DNA sample in any way. There is already a system in place, in many parts of the world that keeps DNA samples from all offenders and criminals. As of June 2007, CODIS (the USA database) has produced over 49,400 matches to requests assisting in over 50,343 investigations. Most people are alright with the government having a copy of ex-cons’ DNA, but they are often not ok with the government having a DNA sample of the average American Joe, their own children or themselves; locked up in a database. Who would be looking at it? What would it be used for? How dare they ask for my DNA, I haven’t done anything wrong! For the average Joe, the government would probably never even look at their samples. And people, who don’t plan on robbing a bank or committing murder, should have nothing to worry about and nothing to hide. The people who would look at the database would most likely be FBI agents, justice department officials, and anti terrorist organizations. Security would be around the clock in such a facility housing the DNA and most of the data would be in digital files once it is collected.
While there might be many uses to this database, it is unlikely that it will easily be created. Many people have moral and ethical issues with it, and there are privacy concerns as well. There is a possibility that the collectors of DNA or the people who have access to the database could intentionally tamper with the information for private gain, spite or racism. In addition those against argue that such a database would probably require a large investment of time and money to the massive task of collecting every single person's DNA. While the majority of people do support the creation of such a system or something like it, often the people who are against speak the loudest, and much of the media coverage on such a controversial subject can make many more people afraid of such an advancement than need be. It is hard to imagine such a database passing through this country with ease, when many people have huge problems with shaky ethical sciences like stem cell research. But a database (for offenders only) is already in place or on the way in the UK, Australia, and in some places in the US. The US has the largest DNA database in the world with over 5 million records as of 2007. And the growing popularity of databases
When Britain was first developing their system for a national database, one website posted; “It would be damaging to the image of the UK - 'Welcome to Britain: now provide a mouth swab'.” This type of odd and often intrusive effects that such a database might create, are often unsettling to people when they imagine what our world would be like with this technological advancement.
In spite of the weird feelings of having your DNA taken where ever you go, and the small feelings of uncertainty about what the government will actually use your sample for, I think that the benefits of having such a database largely outweigh the few uncertainties that come with it. I think the claim that the maintaining and creation of a DNA database would be outrageously expensive is incorrect. Governments already have massive national systems in place that require a large amount of money and bureaucracy like Social Security, and the current fingerprinting system. With the technology already in existence and the need and uses clear, it is time we overcome our fears of slip ups and misuse and contribute our DNA samples to this database for the greater good.

Analysis of Genghis Khan's principles

Analysis of Genghis Khan's principles
Now that I am getting close to finishing this book, I have enough information to analyze the protagonist, Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan started from humble beginnings, born into a low class family, Genghis Khan or Temujin (his birth name) showed much determination and strength, as well as a keen instinct for survival. His childhood was harder than most, his father was poisoned by a rival clan, his family plundered and then left to starve on the harsh steep, and he was taken captive as a slave for many years of his early life. From many of his early experiences, Genghis Khan developed many strict taboos, that he would enforce for himself and for his many followers. These included, no torture, no taking of hostages, and safety for all diplomats. Many of the peoples that the Mongols encountered thought they were savages, killing everyone in their path. But many of these cities and peoples were destroyed because their leaders killed the Mongol's diplomats, who were sent to offer a full surrender to the cities inhabitants. The Mongols did not take hostages. When they entered a fallen city, they would not take the knights and lords hostage, as was custom in much of Europe for ransom, instead they would simply execute them. However once the Mongols were fighting a Russian walled city, and the city's King fought so fiercely and bravely, that once his city was fallen they let this king live in honor of his bravery. The outlaw of torture, hostages, and the murder or mistreatment of ambassadors became universal through out the entire Mongol empire during the reign of Genghis Khan. These policies are one of the Mongol empires greatest contributions to the societies that they conquered, many of which kept these principles long after the Mongols had left. The legacy of Genghis Khan and his mighty Mongol empire is etched into almost every part of the making of the modern world, from the re-connection of Europe, Middle east and China, and the extensive boom of the overland trade that occurred as a result, to the breaking of old unwanted empires, to the spreading of culture, new ideals, and war technology, Genghis Khan and his noble warriors changed all of history.

Mongke Khan's Religious Debate

A scribe's recount of Mongke Khan's Religious Debate;
The debate was organized like a Mongol wrestling match. It began when a French Christian named Rubruck was finally received to Mongke Khan's court on May 24 1254. It was clear to me and all the court that the man was not accustomed to debating issues with men who did not share his common Christian beliefs. He called himself a Catholic Christian, and claimed to speak the true word of God, and not the poisoned heretic views of the Assyrian Christians already at his Greatness's court. To me the difference between their beliefs seemed marginal and unimportant although, I have heard that these two different types of Christians constantly fight over trivial things, slaughtering each other in the name of the same God. Mongke Khan ordered Rubruck and other scribes of different religions to have a debate some days later. The debate was organized like a Mongol wrestling match, Mongols do love a good competition. "It is doubtful that representatives of so many types of Christianity had come to a single meeting, and certainly they had not debated, as equals, with representatives of the various Muslim and Buddhist faiths. The religious scholars had to compete on the basis of their beliefs and ideas, using no weapons or the authority of any ruler or army behind them. They could use only words and logic to test the ability of their ideas to persuade"(173). This was of course quite different from what I have heard happening in Europe. Some time after Rubruck returned to France, the Mongol court received word that his sponsor, King Louis IX had burned over 12,000 Jewish hand written texts. And that after this the Catholic Church named him a saint, a person that Christian followers are supposed to look up to and worship. In my opinion this should have been a point taken away from the Christians in the debate. The debate has been over for months now, by the other scribes and I have just begun to finish the Mongol court's official account of the event. One of the highlights of the debate for Rubruck was in the opening round a Buddhist from North China asked him how the world was made and what happened to the soul after death. Rubruck cleverly respond by saying the the monk was asking the wrong questions and should instead be asking about God from whom all things flow. The umpires awarded Rubruck that point.

The Most Influential Woman of the 13th century

Dear Genghis Khan,
I am pleased to inform you that, while you raised relatively weak sons, who were alcoholics and self centered, your daughter in law has come through and raised four diligent sons who will make great rulers. Mongke, Arik Boke, Khubilai and Hulegu will all follow in your foot steps as great and powerful khans, they will expand their empires, follow their mother's and your teachings and mark another high point in the Mongol Empire. While their empire did have flaws, it is an amazing story I'll tell you of how they got in such a powerful position. Much of it was due to your daughter in law, widow of your youngest son Tolui, Sorkhokhtani; whose lifelong struggle enabled your grandsons to prosper as they did. Sorkhokhtani was one of the most, if not the most influential woman of the 13th century. She stayed quietly on the sidelines and waited for the opportune moment to launch her sons into power. First she refused to marry your successors' son, Guyuk, saying that her sons needed her at home. She did this so Ogodei and his son would not have control over her section of the empire, so that she could preserve it for her own sons. While Jochi's son, Batu was campaigning in Eastern Europe and other Mongols in China, Sorkhokhtani was training her sons to be fit rulers. She warned Batu about Guyuk's planned surprise attack against him and then when Guyuk died shortly after, she called an election of the next Great Khan in the Mongol homeland. Batu was too far away to reach the election and the unpopularity of Guyuk's short rule would guarantee the election of her son Mongke to Great Khan. This wise and patient Queen was one of the most determined and important women of her time and her actions and determination directly affected most of the world and your great Mongol empire. The best description of her accomplishments came from the writer Bar Hebraeus who wrote that "if I were to see among the race of women another woman like this, I should say that the race of women was far superior to men"(168).

A Peasant's recount of a Mongol Attack

It is highly doubtful that I will live through these next few weeks. I curse the strange eastern Mongols for bringing this terrible fate upon me and my beloved city and country side. It all began 7 days ago, when I was out in the fields getting ready for the coming harvest. I was peaceful in those fields, tending my father's father's plot of land, excited to pass the farmers wisdom on to my own son, John in a few years time. All of a sudden my oxen began to fret and the sheep baaed nervously, in a few minutes the Mongols descended upon my land. I saw them coming and quickly cut my oxen lose from the plow, and then dashed for the cottage where I could hear my wife and children's screams. The strange dark warriors on horseback set fire to my home and surrounding fields. I called out my wife and children's names hopping they were not trapped by the blaze. Luckily all five of them were all right and I helped my eldest son, John salvage things before the cottage collapsed. I looked to my young children all huddled around their desperate mother, the fear and uncertainty of their faces became etched in my memory, as I swore my curses to the plundering, ruthless horsemen, who had so suddenly stolen everything from me. As the crops and homes went up in flames, we began the two days journey by foot to the nearest great walled city of Riazan. Now here I sit, in this darkened stone street my remaining family huddled around me and the Mongol invasion closing in. There were many refugees who fled to this city as the Mongols burned their villages and crops. We told stories of horror and despair to the cities inhabitants, and prayed to God for protection in these stone walls. By our prayers were not answered, as the next few days the warriors began to build a huge wooden wall around the already existing stone wall of the city. Despair encompassed everyone as we realized we were trapped, sealed with in this chaotic city as the invaders planned their next attack. Some took refuge in the Church, while some proclaimed all was lost and that God himself had sent these mysterious invaders as punishment for our sins. I say it does not matter, as I contemplate these last few hours of my life, I pray and ask for forgiveness of my sins and my families sins and pray that when our time here is ended by these nasty horrid creatures, that we will join Christ in heaven and be forgiven.

Riazan was the first European city to fall the the conquering Mongols. The Mongols did use the tactics above, burning surround villages so that the residents would flee to the city and spread rumors of despair, further decreasing morale and frightening the city in to defeat. These extra people also strained the cities resources during a potential siege. But in the case of Riazan, no siege was needed and the city fell in one day to the superior military tactics of the Great Mongol Khan.

Another Letter to Genghis Khan

Dear Genghis Khan,
I have recently heard about your problem in splitting up your empire between your sons. In response to this, I have the following suggestions:

• First off, I think that you should divide up your empire between your loyal followers, not your sons. Your generals and administrators that have served you loyally for over 40 years should get the majority of your empire. They are much better suited for the administration of your vast empire than your snotty sons. Your sons will only squabble over land and especially your oldest, Jochi and Chaghatai, will fight amongst each other until your empire is left in ruin and both of them are dead. You have spent your life abolishing the old way of Noble privileges and establishing a system of merit. This system should also be used in the division of your empire.
• I also believe, that instead of trying to train your sons everything you know quickly before you die, is not a good solution. Your sons have already proven that they can not learn quickly, and will disobey you when you are not there to watch over them. Instead you should spend your breath and effort training soldiers with good qualities that have already proven themselves worthy of your wisdom and your empire.
• I also believe you should put your chosen rulers into ruling groups of three. These three men should be put together based on compatibility and should prove that they can work together well. The reason for the three rulers is so that the multiple tasks of being a ruler can be spread between them and so that each can do the jobs that they are best at. For instance you could put together; a well experienced military man to handle the various military tasks of maintaining and expanding the empire, an administrative man to handle the various law, tax and record keeping, and a third diplomatic man to handle various diplomatic missions and to keep peace and relations with other nations.

For the preservation of your empire, I urge you, Genghis Khan, to use these tips for the division of your empire; and I wish you luck for the daunting decision that lies ahead.

A "Letter to Genghis Khan"

Dear Genghis Khan,
The Secret History of the Mongols said "There is fire in his eyes and light in his face", did you believe you were destined to become someone great, or did you only wish for the simple hunting and herding life you were born into? It is interesting to think that every event in your childhood would change world history. Your love for Borte, you killing your older half brother, and your deep friendship with your blood brother Jamuka all would have a profound impact on millions of lives across much of the world. Even though your older half brother was making your life miserable, was it really necessary to kill him? He was very brave, not to run or try to defend himself when he knew his fate, and then to leave him on the ground to die alone, his blood spilling on the ground a great disgrace in Mongol culture. In this book about you, it says "Temujin [Genghis Khan's birth name] had determined he would lead, not follow... he proved himself willing to violate custom, defy his mother, and kill whoever blocked his path, even if it was his own family member" (Weatherford 25). In your life you often violated or ignored many cultural customs and practices that often made you many enemies. The revolutionary change, of not allowing privileges for aristocrats, shattered every tradition in your own culture, and in other cultures that you conquered. While it was a great improvement for many lower class people, who could now move up and succeed based on merit and skill, it did earn you a lot of enemies. All of the aristocrats turned against you and banned together to destroy you and your followers. And finally I want you to know that while your image and the image of your people were diminished to that of blood thirsty barbarians, the world is beginning to take another look at your great accomplishments and the massive truth about your life and empire are coming out in the open once again.