Kuwait to take DNA from all visitors.
Back to Forum- This topic has 12 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 26 Apr 2016
at 01:03 by FDOS_UK.
-
- Author
- Posts
- Skip to last reply Create Topic
-
rfergusonParticipantStumbled 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
24 Apr 2016
at 17:29
MartynSinclairParticipant“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
24 Apr 2016
at 19:03
MrMichaelParticipantPersonally 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!
24 Apr 2016
at 19:10
PeterCoultasParticipantTypical stupidity posturing from a country that has hardly any serious scientific infrastructure – a real joke.
24 Apr 2016
at 19:16
SimonS1ParticipantAlmost 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.
24 Apr 2016
at 21:43
stevescootsParticipantI 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.
25 Apr 2016
at 04:24
rfergusonParticipanticenspice – 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.
25 Apr 2016
at 19:43
FDOS_UKParticipantrferguson – 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.
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.
25 Apr 2016
at 22:46 -
AuthorPosts