week 7

Simon Cole’s “How much Justice can Technology afford?” documents the many effects scientific technology has on race and justice. Cole’s article explains the relationships of gender, class, and race and how technology through the development of DNA impacts all of them tremendously. Cole also states that DNA has the capability to change justice and race due to the increasing use of DNA to solve crimes and the ever increasing criminal database due to collecting DNA. Another person who debates the importance of DNA and its impact on justice is Marx. Marx believes there are two opinions on DNA and the ways in which it’s involved in justice. One way in which Marx believe DNA is used is to help the powerful and rich people and to “promote social control.” This indeed is a negative view but also a view in which I would have to agree with. Marx’s other view is that the new DNA technology is good in that it kind of keeps things even in regards to race and justice, as it is science and therefore does not discriminate. Marx also notes that DNA helps in regards to true justice because it has helped many falsely convicted men and women be exonerated and get out of their unfair prisons sentences. Cole’s article brings up the question of just how much justice can people afford? An example of this is that in some cases they guarantee you legal representation. However this certainly does not mean you’re getting the best representation. On the other hand, if you have the money to afford a top ranked defender or attorney you can get away with pretty much anything, even murder. You can just look at the OJ Simpson case for an example of this. Personally I like the idea of DNA technology as it is simply incapable of lying. DNA technology does not see race, gender or social class and is therefore unable to make certain biased assumptions and decisions. Simply put, it is a machine. DNA is perhaps the most effective weapon in combating crime and even discrimination in justice. DNA creates equality and truth while evening things out. I personally hope that DNA and forensic technology continues to evolve in order to combat crime and also rid our prison cells of innocent people serving time for crimes they did not commit.