Kuwait to take DNA from all visitors.

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  • Anonymous
    Guest

    rferguson
    Participant

    Stumbled across this article which says that Kuwait is to take DNA samples of everyone entering the country as well as the entire population resident there. Will be interesting to see if this piques the interest of other countries throughout the world.

    Couldn’t really see the idea taking off in many european countries, i’m sure it would be challenged. Although Donald Trump may well like the idea!

    As a regular visitor to KWI i’m not sure how I feel about this.

    http://traveller24.news24.com/Flights/kuwait-to-dna-test-and-tag-all-tourists-20160423


    icenspice
    Participant

    Unbelievable.

    Do you know if this will affect you as crew rferguson?


    MartynSinclair
    Participant

    “The Kuwait government says the forced DNA testing won’t affect people’s personal freedom and privacy”

    I guess this boils down to how much trust you have in the Kuwait Government holding your DNA.

    No Trust = Do Not Visit

    Trust = Visit


    MrMichael
    Participant

    Personally I have no issue with governments holding my DNA, just like I don’t mind them having my name, address, photo, DOB etc. They get and take that info when one passes passport control, so if they want a bit of my saliva too…good luck to them. I figure the only reason to be worried about it was if I was up to no good. After all, what will they do with it other than illuminate me from their enquirys!


    PeterCoultas
    Participant

    Typical stupidity posturing from a country that has hardly any serious scientific infrastructure – a real joke.


    icenspice
    Participant

    It’s one thing to be fingerprinted on arrival or departure in certain countries. Having a DNA sample taken is another.

    Not that I plan to visit Kuwait.

    Obviously it’s such a rich country, it doesn’t need to attract visitors.


    SimonS1
    Participant

    Almost as irritating as that ridiculous visa on arrival system which involves queueing upstairs.

    I suppose it’s a reminder that despite having a lot of oil, Kuwait is still one of the more backward places to go. Last time I was there a couple of years back the taxi driver tried to rip me off despite the fixed tariff being displayed in the cab.


    FDOS_UK
    Participant

    I’ve just withdrawn from an enagement, because of this new law.


    FDOS_UK
    Participant

    rferguson – 24/04/2016 18:29 BST

    If I were you, I would decline to be rostered for there. See my post above, I’ve just walked away from a large billing, but money isn’t everything.


    stevescoots
    Participant

    I have no problem with things that are external such as name, face, fingerprints being on a government list for security. but what I class as internal, such as medical info and DNA then I object and would probably take FDOS stance.


    rferguson
    Participant

    icenspice – there has been no confirmation yet but i’d imagine it would apply to everyone.

    FDOS – i’m not comfortable with a copy of my DNA being kept on file at all – especially in Kuwait where I imagine there is very little active ‘right of privacy’ campaigners and so protections of where the DNA is stored and whom it could be shared with will likely be wishy washy. I imagine it will become a ‘IKA headscarf’ issue with many crew asking to opt out of flying to KWI.

    I’m more concerned that the KWI example will set a precedent to other countries.


    FDOS_UK
    Participant

    rferguson – 25/04/2016 20:43 BST

    One of the seminars I lead is about the fundamentals of data analysis and I am very aware of the ‘Prosecutor’s Fallacy, which is a form of cognitive bias. Below is an excellent summary of it and I would advise you to read it (it is not my work, for the avoidance of doubt) – it will not take long. In summary, the larger the DNA database, the more likely a match by chance – it is an aleatory risk for which you cannot take any reasonable precautions and have to depend on the probity of the legal system in the country where it occurs..

    http://www.statisticalconsultants.co.nz/blog/prosecutors-fallacy.html

    Then when you have read that, take a look at this UK guide for prosecutors and in particular pages 27-30.

    https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/assets/uploads/files/lawyers’%20DNA%20guide%20KSWilliams%20190208%20%28i%29.pdf

    Then ask yourself about the checks and balances in the Kuwaiti legal system v the UK. To be honest, I am not too familiar with the former, but in the latter, there have been convictions declared ‘unsafe’ at a later date, so there was sufficient doubt to render the statistical evidence unreliable.

    I completely agree with your last sentence, that is a concern.

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