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The UK's DNA Dungeon
The United Kingdom's National DNA Database, which began in 1995 as a catalog of convicted criminals, now includes permanently retained DNA collected from people who were charged but acquitted, and those who were arrested and never charged. Volunteers who give their DNA during an investigation-even crime victims-may also find their DNA on permanent record. The database now includes DNA from 3.5 million people, about 700,000 of them children. Despite the steady expansion of the database, though, the number of crimes solved by using the genetic material has not increased, reports GeneWatch (Nov./Dec. 2006). Moreover, concerns about misuse of the samples are growing. The database is routinely used for research without consent, sometimes for controversial projects, such as studies of the Y chromosome to predict ethnicity. This is particularly alarming, GeneWatch explains, because such predictions are uncertain and could either mislead police or reinforce prejudices about who may have committed a crime.

Big Brother Bush
In an October move that garnered little public reaction, President Bush signed into law a provision making it easier for presidents to declare martial law. According to the Asheville Global Report (Nov. 2-8, 2006), the John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007 allows the president to 'suppress public disorder' by declaring a 'public emergency,' station troops anywhere in the country, and take control of state-based National Guard units-all without the agreement of state and local authorities. The law also allows military police to round up and detain protesters, 'illegal aliens,' 'potential terrorists,' and other 'undesirables.' Democratic senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont provided the lone voice of opposition, pointing out that using the military for law enforcement runs counter to main tenets of our democracy.

The War Games, They Are a-Changin'
We were fascinated when we read Andy Tompkins and Andrew Sheerin discuss their creation War on Terror-the Boardgame, in Red Pepper (Nov. 2006). With critics skewering the game as 'sick,' 'dangerous,' and 'insensitive,' we had to see it (and play it) ourselves. Fans of the game Risk will recognize its complicated global-domination theme, but there are fresh satirical twists: You can fund terrorist cells if you want to bring down your opponents. You can even become the terrorists if you run out of money. The ultimate goal of the game? To 'liberate' the world, earn as much oil money as you can, and ruffle a few feathers.

Ecofriendly Fire
Soldiers may always return from war nursing gunshot wounds, but they no longer need to worry that bullets lodged in their bodies are loaded with lead. The London-based Sunday Times (Sept. 17, 2006) reports that BAE Systems, one of the world's biggest arms producers, is working on a new arsenal of ecofriendly weapons, including lead-free bullets.

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