Hello Robin:-

The year is 2001, not 1901 -- people today must realize the importance
of DNA testing -- not for reproductive purposes -- but for genetically
inherited diseases. I was able to trace my brother's MS diagnosed 38
years ago, not by DNA, but using Letters of Administration in 1824, and
church records in 1909.

My two youngest grandchildren are both studying in these fields.
Robert, now 20, has had three years of university to date. His goal is
molecular bacteriologist and geneticist. Again, not for CLONING
people -- but for good research.
Example: Robert knows the family history -- he wants to see the day
when a couple could both have a simple blood test using the DNA
system, which could tell them they might have inherited diseases.
Yes, the couple could marry -- but it is better to know before rather
than bring a child with problems into the world.

Michelle is now 22, has had five years of university, might end up
as a "super cop" -- her studies include DNA, forensics, anthropology
and archaeology.
Reason and explanation:  Should a body be found, regardless of the
number of years, she would be able to learn sex, age, cause of death
and when from the DNA in bone fragments.
Last year she unearthed, at one dig, crockery and bone fragments
over 1500 years old -- next to Botannical Gardens in Hamilton.
She has applied for the course in England, part of Scotland Yard and
waiting for acceptance.

These are just some personal ways in which DNA is used --

I am against CLONING of animals and people - DNA is a required
science and should not be used for this.

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Did you know that BYU has a molecular genealogy project?  It is similar to what they are doing in Iceland with the national database.
You go to the site and get a biological pedigree, which you can either print
out and fill in by hand or download into Excel.  Then, when the DNA people
are in town (they are in Portland May 16-19, for example), you go to the   convention center, or wherever they are, and give a little blood.  They input the kinship information into a master database, and corelate it with the blood DNA information.  This will allow a coherent tracking system to be established and they are shooting for 500 populations around the world.
If you are interested, the link is:

    http://molecular-genealogy.byu.edu/index.htm

Interesting!