　　In1992,twolawprofessors,Pete-名校题库网

　　In 1992, two law professors, Peter Neufeld and Barry Seheck, decided to use DNA evidence to help set free such mistakenly convicted prisoners. With the help of their students, they created a not-for-profit organization called the Innocence Project. Most of their clients are poor men, many from racial and ethnic minorities. In fact, studies have shown that U. S. judges and juries are often influenced by racial and ethnic background, and that people from minority groups are more likely to be convicted.

　　Between 1992 and 2006, the Innocence Project helped free 100 men. Some of these prisoners had been in jail for ten, but twenty years or more for crimes they did not commit. However, the goal of the Innocence Project is not simply to set free those who are wrongfully in jail. They also hope to bring about real changes in the criminal justice system.

　　Illinois in the late 1990s, a group of journalism students at Northwestern University were able to bring about such a change in that state. They began investigating some Illinois prisoners who claimed to be innocent. Through DNA testing, the students were able to prove that in fact the prisoners were not guilty of the crimes they had been accused of. Thirteen of these men were set free, and in 2000, Governor Ryan of Illinois decided to stop carrying out death sentences until further study could be made of the prisoners cases.

　　The use of DNA in criminal cases is still being debated around the world. Some fear that governments will one day keep records of everyone’s DNA, which could put limits on the privacy and freedom of citizens. Other people mistrust the science of DNA testing and think that lawyers use it to get their clients free whether or not they are guilty. But for those whose innocence has been proven and who are now free men. DNA testing has meant nothing less than a return to life. And with the careful use of DNA testing, no innocent person should ever be convicted again.

查看答案纠错

答案：

本题解析：

1992年，两位法律教授，Peter和Barry决定使用DNA证据来帮助释放那些误判的囚犯。在其学生的帮助下，他们创造了一个非营利性组织——无罪项目。他们的客户绝大多数都是穷人，许多是少数种族和少数民族。事实上，研究已经表明美国法官和陪审团往往受到种族和民族背景的影响，来自少数群体的人们更有可能被判有罪。

　　在1992年到2006年之间，无罪项目已帮助100人重获自由。其中一些囚犯因为他们没有犯下的罪行坐了10年、20年甚至更久的牢。然而，无罪项目的目标不仅仅是释放那些误判的人，他们还希望能真正改变刑事司法体系。

　　在二十世纪九十年代后期的伊利诺伊州，美国西北大学一群新闻系学生改变了该州的刑事司法体系。他们开始调查一些声称无辜的伊利诺伊州囚犯。通过DNA鉴定，学生得以证明囚犯事实上没有犯下他们被指控的罪行。他们中十三人无罪释放，在2000年，伊利诺伊州州长Ryan决定废除死刑，直到案情需要进一步研究。

　　在刑事案件中使用DNA这件事在世界各地仍然争论不休。一些人担心政府某天会将每个人的DNA存档，这可能会限制公民隐私和自由。其他人误信了DNA鉴定的科学性，认为不管客户有没有罪，律师都利用它来使其脱离罪状。而对于那些已被证明无罪的自由人，DNA鉴定仅意味着重新回归生活。随着DNA鉴定的谨慎使用，无辜的人不应该再次被判有罪。