Article Abstract:
The admissibility of DNA typing, or fingerprinting, as evidence in court is controversial. Use of DNA typing as evidence is based on the assumption that the DNA sequence of one individual is not identical or similar to that another. Randolph Jakobetz appealed a 30 year sentence for kidnap and rape of a young woman. He argued that the trial judge had wrongfully allowed the admission of DNA typing evidence. FBI experts stated the DNA sequence of sperm taken from the victim matched that of blood from Jakobetz. Defense experts argued that subsets of the population may have the same DNA sequence. An appeals court stated that DNA evidence is subject to question, but upheld the trial judge's decision. The 1992 report of the National Research Council stated that DNA typing called for more stringent quality control for DNA typing laboratories. It also recommended that the admissibility of DNA typing be evaluated on a case by case basis.
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Article Abstract:
The controversies related to teaching evolutionary theory in classrooms and its usage in courtrooms is discussed. The US has already had two waves of religion-inspired antievolution activism, called the outlawing education about evolution and creationism, and a decision by the US District Court Judge John E. Jones III made just before Christmas 2005 has marked the end of the third wave, called the intelligent design.
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Article Abstract:
According to U.S. law, the competent persons have the legal right to refuse treatment, even life-sustaining treatment, and incompetent patients can refuse treatment through an advance directive. The main points of this law are reviewed with a case of Charles Sell.
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