Idaho lab develops a quicker way to catch a thief

[superconnected]

Source: http://www.komotv.com/news/tech/18407469.html

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) - Federal researchers say they've developed a human identification test that's faster and possibly cheaper than DNA testing.

It would be a handy new weapon in the arsenal for detectives, forensic experts and the military, though no one expects it to replace DNA analysis - and its promoters say it is not intended to.

The new method analyzes antibodies. Each person has a unique antibody bar code that can be gleaned from blood, saliva or other bodily fluids. Antibodies are proteins used by the body to fend off viruses or perform routine physiological housekeeping.

"DNA is a physical code that describes you ... and in many ways so are your antibodies," said Dr. Vicki Thompson, a chemical engineer at the Idaho National Laboratory who's been working with other researchers to perfect the test for the past 10 years.


Read more: http://www.komotv.com/news/tech/18407469.html

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Nobody is going to be able to stop progress like this. What needs to happen is laws need to be put in to protect us against the gov invading our privacy even if it's tiny physical footprints well as to protect us against genetic discrimination. But I'm not so sure stopping them from getting our genetic or even ammune system foot prints is a good idea. It's likely more up-to-date to accept that the gov will know whenever someone was somewhere or did something because our footprints are fair game, and are public information. We all know the new rules.

Other than that, cool they figured out how to do this. Much more will come in the next 5 years, let alone our lifetimes.

[Infinite Hope]

1. Antibodies flow in bloodstream...I'm not convinced my own antibodies would match myself day to day.

n/t

[Muttocracy]

2. after vaccination, after illness...I'm not convinced yet either. nt

[merwin]

3. I know at least for me and my gluten antibodies, they go up

if I eat gluten, and down if I don't.

My goal is to keep them as low as possible, but they do go up and down.

Maybe there are some that stay the same though.

[InkAddict]

4. It's worse than you can imagine when combined with this

technology...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3290850&mesg_id=3290850

[bean fidhleir]

5. Just because the govt CAN collect doesn't mean they SHOULD collect

Anyone who collects without permission should go directly to prison without passing go or collecting any more money for at least 10 years.