The controversial database includes millions of children and documents
their names, addresses, disabilities other statistics and demographics.
Federal law allows for the files to be shared with private companies.
From the article: 'In operation just three months, the database already
holds files on millions of children identified by name, address and
sometimes social security number. Learning disabilities are documented,
test scores recorded, attendance noted. In some cases, the database
tracks student hobbies, career goals, attitudes toward school - even
homework completion. Local education officials retain legal control over
their students' information. But federal law allows them to share files
in their portion of the database with private companies selling
educational products and services.
On the edge: Disease and habitat loss is decimating wild amphibian populations globally, with more than 200 species needing urgent intervention through captive breeding, says Dr. Simon Clulow. In a south-eastern suburb in Melbourne, there’s a zoo. It has no visitors, and there are no animals anywhere inside it. Rather, the Australian Frozen Zoo houses living cells and genetic material from Australian native and rare and exotic species. This place, and others like it, could be a big part of the future of conservation. Department of Biological Sciences’ Simon Clulow and his colleagues make the case for ‘biobanking’ in a recent piece in Conservation Letters. Clulow is keen to stress that this doesn’t mean getting rid of conventional zoos or captive breeding programs. “Captive breeding has had some wonderful successes, and there will always be a huge place for it,” he says. PhD student and lead author Lachlan Howell agrees. “It was captive breeding that brought the giant panda back from
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