China collecting DNA samples of millions, experts suspect developing tool for genetic surveillance
In an alleged bid to create a new tool for their emerging high-tech surveillance, Chinese authorities have been collecting DNA samples from across the country to develop a massive genetic database.In an opinion piece, Emile Dirks, a PhD student in Political Science at the University of Toronto, and James Leibold, an expert on ethnic issues in modern China, say dissent is a crime in China and police operations are a key part of the state’s apparatus of repression.They estimated that the authorities’ goal is to gather the DNA samples of 35 million to 70 million Chinese males.“Matched against official family records, surveillance footage or witness statements in police reports, these samples will become a powerful tool for the Chinese authorities to track down a man or boy -- or, failing that