Social and related implications of DNA fingerprinting and other new DNA technologies

The discovery of the structure of DNA at the beginning of this half of the century, and the recognition that it is virtually the universal genetic material, made it imperative for man, sooner or later, to apply this knowledge for unexpected ends. Genetic engineering, DNA fingerprinting, sequencing of whole genomes (be they of man, plants or microorganisms), or exploitation of the differences between the DNA of the male and the female (for example, of the X and the Y sperm) have thus all been historical imperatives. Today, many such predicted technologies are a reality or have come close to being so. Such DNA‐based technologies have enormous social implications, discussed in this article. The impact of these technologies on different societies is likely to be different, in view of the different social conditions that prevail, and the different historical background and cultural traditions. In India, for example, the use of DNA fingerprinting could prevent the large‐scale exploitation of women, and several kinds of litigation. On a global scale, the availability of this technique and its refinement to a stage where it would become virtually foolproof could act as a deterrent to certain kinds of crime. There will also be unprecedented benefits to agriculture but also new problems that will need to be faced and resolved. Wisdom demands that we prepare ourselves for a largescale application of the new DNA technologies that are a historical imperative, understand the problems that are likely to arise, and plan to cope with them before they descend on us in full force. This is the text of a popular public lecture given by the author during the Third International Conference on DNA Fingerprinting held in Hyderabad, India, in December 1994.