This book investigates the complex socio-ethical challenges arising from the large-scale collection, storage, and utilization of human DNA in genetic databases. Authors Richard Tutton and Oonagh Corrigan, both established scholars in the sociology of science and medicine, examine the intersection of technological advancement and individual rights. They argue that the proliferation of biobanks and forensic databases necessitates a critical re-evaluation of informed consent, privacy, and the potential for genetic discrimination in modern society.

Experts in the field of bioethics frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the sociological dimensions of genetic data management. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous examination of policy and ethical theory for researchers and students alike.