Because of their size, scale, and requirements for capital investments and for knowledge, modern technologies are powerful interventions into the natural order. They tend to be the mechanisms by which already powerful groups extend, manifest, and further consolidate their powers. Genetic technologies and computerisation exhibit these characteristics, and reflect power differentials in our society. Predictability will replace a tolerance for natural variation and diversity. Leading scientists have already called for programmes of eugenics, labelled as 'genetic enhancement' for less distasteful connotations.
Genetic technologies affect civil liberties, as the following examples demonstrate.
A health maintenance organisation told a pregnant woman whose foetus tested positive for cystic fibrosis that it would be willing to cover the cost of an abortion, but would not cover the infant under the family's medical policy if she carried the pregnancy to term. The US Department of Defense insists on taking DNA samples from all its personnel, ostensibly for identifying those killed in action or military accidents. Samples are kept for 50 years, long after people have left active duty, and the programme includes civilian employees. The department refuses to issue regulations barring all third party use, and will not accept waivers from the next of kin of subjects not wanting to donate tissues. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been promoting the genetic screening of criminals to establish state DNA identification data banks to be used in criminal investigations.