Press Conference - Bermuda Population Data for DNA
Tue, 2009-06-30
The Bermuda Police Service in conjunction with the Department of Health is seeking the support of Bermuda residents over the age of 18 years to establish Bermuda Population data to support the future use of DNA in Bermuda.
We are seeking 400 volunteers to anonymously provide their DNA to help establish base line population data. All volunteers will be paid $40 for their sample. They can elect to keep the cash or to donate it to charity. Their names will not be recorded or associated with their samples and once the population data calculations have been done the samples will all be destroyed.
The sample will be used to establish the frequency of DNA strands in Bermuda so that calculations can be made regarding the probability of matching new DNA specimens against a Bermuda specific population profile. This will allow for statements to be made such as:
“The chance of a random person living in Bermuda having this DNA profile is…”
The only criteria we have for eligible volunteers are that they are:
1. Over 18 years (those that look younger will be asked to verify they are 18 or over),
2. They are resident in Bermuda,
3. Volunteers should not be closely related to another volunteer by blood (mother, father, brother, sister, first cousin).
4. Their race is self declared as either Black or White (the collection is limited to the two predominant Bermuda resident races).
The collection is completely painless, takes seconds and is done by swabbing the insides of your mouth with a small sponge on a stick.
No person will have access to the samples because they will not be stored and the physical samples will be destroyed. The samples are given completely anonymously. The use of DNA is a 21st Century science that is widely used throughout the world and we are calling on Bermuda to help establish it here.
We are expecting a big turnout and hope to collect all the samples we need in a single day – Wednesday 1st July 2009. In the event that we don’t reach the target in one day we will continue throughout the remainder of this week. Volunteers can provide their samples between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. between Wednesday 1st and Friday 3rd July 2009 at Police Mobile Command Vehicle which will be parked on the Church Street side of the City Hall car park. The Police Mobile Command Vehicle will stay open late until 10 p.m. for one night only on Wednesday 1st July to coincide with the Harbour Nights Street Festival.
DNA – Frequently Asked Questions
The Bermuda Police Service in conjunction with the Department of Health is seeking your assistance to establish Bermuda Population data to support the future use of DNA in Bermuda. We are looking for 400 Bermuda residents to anonymously provide their DNA to help us establish base line population data. The DNA will not be kept but the values it presents will allow future DNA calculations to be based on population data that is specific to Bermuda rather than using population data from other countries.
How will my sample be collected?
The collection takes seconds and is done by swabbing the insides of your mouth with a small sponge on a stick. Samples will be collected from 200 black and 200 white Bermuda residents aged 18 years or older. Volunteers will each receive $40 for participating or they can elect to donate the money to charity.
Is it anonymous?
Your name will not be recorded or associated with your sample and once the population data calculations have been done the sample will be destroyed.
What will the sample be used for?
The sample will be used to establish the frequency of DNA strands in Bermuda so that we can calculate the probability of matching new DNA specimens against a Bermuda specific population profile. This will allow for statements to be made such as:
“The chance of a random person living in Bermuda having this DNA profile is…”
Can it be used against me?
No. The sample is completely anonymous and will be destroyed.
How long will it be stored?
It will not be stored. It will be destroyed.
Who will have access to my sample?
No person will have access to the sample because it will not be stored and the physical sample will be destroyed. The sample is given completely anonymously.
