In an age of ubiquitous data, we need to decide what we, as a society, are going to do with that data.<p>Do we respect a formally expunged record?  Or do we continue to discriminate?  Do we make such discrimination illegal, e.g. in employment, housing, etc.?<p>When everyone&#x27;s genome, and now microflora composition, are known, do we discriminate on that basis?  Perhaps people would be more willing to share such data -- including especially for the advancement of health care -- if ALL people benefited.  Rather than e.g. finding oneself excluded from health care insurance, by selection or by pricing.<p>On problem with the absoluteness of some formulations of &quot;free market&quot;, is that it fundamentally separates us from each other.  We don&#x27;t act in concert, because, essentially, we don&#x27;t have each other&#x27;s backs.  Any vulnerability that might advance the common good, must instead be hidden, if it can.<p>Would you rather learn from our diversity, or expunge it?<p>Right now, there are a lot of voices finding short-term arbitrage in arguments and decisions that essentially boil down to &quot;expunge.&quot;<p>And, I&#x27;m not talking about &quot;the record.&quot;  I&#x27;m talking about the people involved.<p>Bad health?  Poor decision?  Ostracism and a shortened, second-class life for you.  Regardless.