About the project
The relationship between digital technologies and DNA is changing so rapidly and profoundly that in-depth and creative analyses of the links between them are urgently needed. Digital innovations in DNA analysis affect the ways in which DNA is used for identification and investigation. Algorithms are written to predict looks and behavior from DNA, commercial providers build large DNA databases to investigate genealogies, and eDNA technologies can collect human DNA traces from the air. At the same time, DNA also changes digital technologies, for example when DNA is used as a software in molecular computing, or as a storage medium. Digital DNA provides pioneering empirical insights and theorization on the mutual influence of digital technologies and DNA. The project defines an emerging field: the digitization of DNA analysis and the influence of DNA on digital technologies. It provides systematic interdisciplinary studies on three sets of developments.
- Changes in hardware. It investigates how low- and high-tech hardware influence the processing of DNA for identification and investigation, and how DNA is used as hardware in computing.
- Changes in databases and analytic instruments, i.e. how a growth in DNA databases and their algorithmic analysis influence the production of DNA for identification and investigation, and to what extent digital databases and algorithms are associated with robust and scientific reasoning.
- Changes in information per se: how the ability to alter DNA influences the production of identification and investigation, and how DNA influences the concept of digital data.
Current debates tend to focus on ethical, legal and societal aspects of innovations in DNA analysis. Digital DNA focuses on more fundamental developments: how DNA changes when it is integrated with digital technologies, in what ways DNA has become biometric data, shaping new cultures of surveillance and identification, and the re-orientation that digital data and technologies undergo when they are integrated with DNA. A unique combination of methods from the social sciences, information studies and natural sciences is used in the project.
In connection with this research project, Maja Vestad has her own PhD project. For more information, see the project's website: Forensic DNA Evidence Technologies and Criminological Horizons (link).
The project group
The Digital DNA project receives professional guidance on research methodology, theory and ethics from a number of experts in the advisory board. We are pleased to have the opportunity to discuss our work with a wide range of experts.
In addition, the project has attracted many people with relevant expertise. The project associates are the key to the empirical data in Digital DNA. As professionals in the field, they introduce the project researchers to practices and policies related to technology use. They are facilitators: They give us access to the places we visit and provide a context for the phenomena we study.
Advisory Board
Prof. Louise Amoore, Political Geography, Durham University.
Prof. Claudia Aradou, International Politics, Kings College London.
Prof. Geoffrey C. Bowker, Informatics, University of California, Irvine.
Prof. Niamh Nic Daeld, Forensic Science, University of Dundee.
Dr. Heather Dewey-Hagborg, Biopolitical artist.
Prof. Marianne Fyhn, Biology, University of Oslo.
Prof. Sabina Leonelli, Philosophy and History of Science, University of Exeter.
Prof. Michael E. Lynch, Social Sciences and Technology, Cornell University.
Prof. Adrien Mackenzie, Sociology, Australian National University.
Prof. Amade M'charek, Anthropology of Science, University of Amsterdam.
Dr. Mariarosaria Taddeo, Digital Ethics, University of Oxford.
Dr. Matthias Wienroth, Sociology, Northumbria University.
Dr. Dana Wilson-Kovacs, Sociology, University of Exeter.
Prof. Simon A. Cole, Criminology, Law & Society, University of California, Irvine
Project Associates
Associate Prof. Thomas Berg, Forensic Genetics & Molecular Pathology, The Arctic University of Norway.
Dr. Ane Elida Fonneløp, Forensic Biology, Oslo University Hospital
Ane Marit Ryen, Senior Advisor, Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board
Truls Petersen, Market Leader, Health and Sustainability, Standard Norge.
Turid Haugen Thor, Senior Advisor, KRIPOS/ Norwegian National Criminal Investigation
