DNA Tracking Technology Identifies Products and PeopleBrandon Turbeville Essentially, the idea behind this new technology is that a DNA marker is applied to an object, which is then sent on its way down the supply chain. At any point, the product is able to be identified by examining, amplifying, and sequencing the DNA marker which confirms the origin of the product. Yet, as with the case of all technologies, what may not be inherently evil in and of itself or even might provide some potential benefits will inevitably become a tool of oppression by government and law enforcement specifically. So, while this new technology could possibly prove useful in terms of the supply chain and shipping concerns, in 2013, any technology that is invented and released will immediately be picked up by the relevant government agencies of surveillance and control. Indeed, even before the technology is introduced to the market for commercial interests, law enforcement agencies are preparing to use the DNA markers for riot and crowd control as well other crime-related situations. Unfortunately, the use of DNA markers for law enforcement purposes is not a technology that is coming sometime in the future it is already here. Police in both the United States and the U.K are already utilizing the DNA marker technology for tracking specific items. For example, John Hewitt, writing for Extreme Tech, explains that some schemes for the new DNA marking technology involve use by law enforcement for the creation of a DNA fog [which]might be used to spray violent protesters when there are not enough law enforcement personnel to immediately subdue the lot of them. Yet the DNA Fog technology is not the only application of DNA based tracking currently being used, some of it on a trial basis, by law enforcement both in the United States and the U.K. In the U.K., the technology seems to be more popular among law enforcement than in the United States (perhaps because the technology lends itself to investigation while American police prefer to shoot first and investigate later if at all). Regardless, U.K. police have access to a special DNA-based defense spray, developed by Selectamark Security Systems, which is very similar to pepper spray. The idea is that the agents utilizing the spray would be able to defend themselves while, at the same time, planting a DNA tracker on the individual who attacked them. Another technology (also manufactured by Selectamark) is a type of grease or gel that can be applied to door handles or objects that would be touched by suspects, thus implanting the DNA tracker onto them. Yet, even more interesting and, indeed, even more concerning is the existence and use of a high velocity DNA tagging system. Describing the DNA tagging system as working much like a pellet gun, Emspak explains how the system works. She writes, The gun uses pellets filled with water, DNA and a binding agent to help it stick. The pellet is a polymer that differs from the kind in paintballs, as it has to be strong enough to be jostled around, weak enough to break on impact and most importantly not react with the DNA. Currently, several police departments in England are already operating this technology on an allegedly trial basis. Still, the technology seems to be a resounding success amongst the departments taking advantage of it. Emspak writes, Janet Fang of SmartPlanet summarizes the operation of the DNA guns when she writes: Of course, it should be pointed out that the DNA guns and other related material only plants DNA onto the suspect but, according to the manufacturers, it does not affect the DNA of the individual being tagged. This, in and of itself, is a questionable process considering the possibilities now existing for potential framing of suspects. One might also wonder, since the police would have an incentive to fire the pellet on skin, whether or not unnecessary injures will be incurred as a result of shots being taken in highly dangerous areas of the body such as the face, eyes, ears, etc. In addition, there are relevant questions as to whether or not these DNA sequences can be copied, although the process of doing so would admittedly be tedious and difficult. However, while the process of copying the DNA codes or planting DNA evidence on innocent people might be a complicated process and one that is easily dismissed by the manufacturers of these technologies and the writers who report on them, this dismissal is entirely based upon the belief that the greatest danger is a rogue citizen gaining access to the equipment. However, the reality is that is those individuals and agencies that would have access to the equipment to begin with that are far more likely and who have a vested interest in manipulating evidence regarding the whereabouts of the public as well as tracking and tracing their every movement. DNA-based traceability, while not inherently evil and even potentially beneficial in limited capacities, is unfortunately yet another weapon of the surveillance police state now firmly entrenched in the United States and the rest of the Western world. Read other articles by Brandon Turbeville here. Brandon Turbeville is an author out of Florence, South Carolina. He has a Bachelors Degree from Francis Marion University and is the author of six books, Codex Alimentarius The End of Health Freedom, 7 Real Conspiracies,Five Sense Solutionsand Dispatches From a Dissident, volume 1 and volume 2, and The Road to Damascus: The Anglo-American Assault on Syria.Turbeville has published over 275 articles dealing on a wide variety of subjects including health, economics, government corruption, and civil liberties. Brandon Turbevilles podcast Truth on The Tracks can be found every Monday night 9 pm EST at UCYTV. He is available for radio and TV interviews. Please contact activistpost (at) gmail.com. 