Should all children be genetically tested at birth to determine the father?

Question

To help lower the % of children who were raised by a father who is unaware he actually isn't the father, otherwise known as Paternity Fraud, usually from infidelity.

Please read the articles prior to answering(estimated 10%+ of children are fathered by men who falsely believe that they are the father)
Paternity Fraud articles: http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48871
http://www.fathersforlife.org/fatherhood/paternity_1.htm

Actually meant to Paternity test(not genetic)

Answer 1

I admit I haven't thought this one all the way through, but my initial reaction is that it might not be a bad idea. Maybe it should be a requirement to be fulfilled before the baby's birth certificate is signed? Problem is, you would have to get the father to agree to be tested. What would happen if the named- father is reluctant or refuses to be tested? The requirement would have to be legally binding. What if there are numerous people that could be "the father" (and the mother does not know who the father really is?) What if the mother refuses to reveal the identity of the potential candidates? This requirement might not be able to establish who IS the father, but I guess it could rule out the one who is named if he is NOT the father...which is a good idea. I do think that if the man's name is going to be put on a legal document (like the birth certificate) and that this document may be legally used as something binding (for child-support, for instance), and he's going to form an emotional attachment to the child, then it makes sense that we establish with certainty if the man is the father. I admit I'm not sure of all the various ramifications here. But in theory, it sounds like a good idea to me.

EDIT: To be honest I haven't read the articles. I have to admit your question has got my interest, so I'll take a look at the links right now.

EDIT: I just read them and I have to say I haven't really ever thought about how huge this issue is, and how many ways it can unfairly affect men, and how unjust it is! And for the children, too! I also had no idea that the percentage of men said to be the father (who are actually not the father) was so high! After reading that, yes, I think perhaps it is a very good idea to establish paternity at birth, before a man's name is entered on the birth certificate.

What an excellent topic you have chosen to bring to light in this forum, Kendrick! Thank you for posting it!

*peace*

EDIT: Serin, this is an occasion I must say I totally agree with you! Well put! And I agree that having this as a requirement eliminates the awkwardness of a "trust issue".

Answer 2

While I generally opt for a non-intrusive form of government, this is one of the few issues where I'd make an exception.

I've given the idea a lot of thought. In the end, it's beneficial both to the children AND the father. The father is guaranteed he won't have to raise another man's bastard. Finding out, say, 6 years down the line rather than right then is an incredibly traumatic event for any father. Plus, as one poster pointed out, having it mandated by the government spares any awkward moments regarding trust.

Finally, the child benefits in a very obvious way: knowledge of genetic predisposition to diseases. Anyone who practices medicine knows that family history is one of the most important indicators of future illnesses, and knowing exactly who a child's father is eliminates any possible mistakes later on.

I think these benefits outweigh any cries of government intrusion. It's a close call, but there ya go.

Answer 3

I understand your concern and it is very sad for the men who falsely believe themselves to be the father because the mother was not completely truthful with them ("I believe you're the father, but there is someone else/many people who may be the father" or outright LYING to the men, KNOWING he is not the father but telling him he is anyway) ... BUT it is their responsibility to make sure they are the father. I mean, if the men BELIEVE they are the father, then they know they had sex with her and believe it might be theirs. I don't want to point fingers and say "it's the man's fault for BELIEVING he is the father" but I definitely think they should accept some responsibility for believing what they were told.... As people, we need to be aware that some people don't tell the truth and a baby is no different - maybe they should be a little more careful in what they believe. I put the blame on the mother too, that is horrible if she out right lied about it. Some mothers may actually believe the guy is the father though. who knows... Anyway, men need to be cautious and demand a paternity test. I have to confess, I didn't read those articles you posted, so I don't know if there is anything available to men, regarding paternity testing for free? I don't think a "requirement" to have all babies tested is necessary. I think there should be something *free of charge* for fathers who would like proof. But I don't think all babies should be required.

Answer 4

Actually I think that it isnt a stupid idea - to protect BOTH parties, if there is any doubt, what could be the harm in determining the paternity and maternity of a child?? prevent hospital mix ups AND men being mistakenly (or deliberately) named as the father when they are not.
Good concept.
If a woman has kept it inside the relationship, then she should have no fear of DNA typing.

Answer 5

Shouldn’t it be the right of every human being and also the responsibility of the parents to establish the biological parenthood of the offspring just like they should register birth, provide education, health checks etc? Shouldn’t it be made mandatory on at the time of birth of any child? I think society has this responsibility on behalf of every citizen born for biological (genetic diseas) and ethical (child support) reasons

It is a surprise why the 90% of the decent women who do not cheat or give birth to "products of cheating" do not campaign for and oppose mandatory paternity tests. They do actively campaign to treat every accused as criminals by default in the rape/abuse cases.

Where is that sense of value and worth and self respect of women in this case? Why shouldn’t the self respecting women make it mandatory to establish the paternity of the child by scientific means? Why do they oppose?

Answer 6

Your husband had no right signing your son's birth certificate and it is also a lie. The father of your son should have his name on the birth certificate. If you really love your son you will get this sorted out and allow your son to wee his father. It doesn't matter that your ex didn't want to know before the fact that he does now means he has every right to go to court to prove he is the father of your son and to make arrangements to see him does matter. Put your son first because you are risking him hating you later on in life if you deny him the right to know who his father is. You should have sorted this out when your son was born.

Answer 7

nope... I am 8 weeks along and have been happily married for 1 year (as of yesterday). I have never and would never cheat on my hubby, so to ask me to take a mandatory DNA scan to show the father would be completely unnecessary. Besides being uncalled for, the insurance expense would probably piss me off more.
The only person I see benefiting from this rather extreme measure would be a man who suspects cheating but doesn't want to ask his wife, so a mandatory test would be very "convenient" for him. just mo

Answer 8

When you say, as in your explanation in your question, that 10%+ of children are fathered by men who falsely believe they are the father can meet the other side of the coin, which is, there are men who can sit there look at there own flesh and blood and deny it through their eye teeth; meaning that in many cases, and under controlled circumstances this testing should be offered; just so the argument is settled once and for all, and a man should pay support according to his own resources, you know make an honest man out of him, so no one can say anything one way or the other. Also the honesty of some women should also be taken in consideration, every coin has two sides.

Answer 9

If the government were to get involved, and paternity tests had to occur before a man would be allowed to claim a child, than what would happen to men that knew the child wasn't theirs and wanted to claim paternity anyway? Would there be some sort of addendum that stated the father could choose to claim a child that wasn't biologically his?
I know this sounds like I'm grasping for something here, but it happens more than you would think...
Husbands of women who got pregnant through rape...
Men with low sperm counts choosing invetro...
Open marriages and alternative lifestyles...
The list could go on, but I'm sure you get my point. Most assuredly, if the government can screw something up, they will. I could support something that allowed for paternal testing upon request, but not a bill which would require it before the father's name could be placed on the birth certificate.

Answer 10

No, because some men may very well not want to know. If he wants to know, he should be able to ask, but the government shouldn't be making this decision for him.

Btw, in my state, a married man is responsible for all children conceived in wedlock, whether they are his biologically or not. Even if he's had a vasectomy and couldn't be the father.

One reason I won't ever marry.