DNA Paternity Test – The Rights of the Child

Not all mothers want their children to know who their fathers are but there has been a shift in legislation that puts the rights of the child first.

DNA Paternity Test

There are many emotional mind fields when it comes to parenthood. There is a wide range of scenarios where a DNA paternity test is necessary.

• Confirming identity - A DNA paternity test is necessary if a mother is unsure who the biological father is, due to an affair for example. The ramifications of which include the issues of child care and visitation rights for the man in question.

• Donor Dads - If a child is the result of a sperm donor and has a desire to track down their biological father, a DNA paternity test can help confirm their research if they believe they have located their alleged father.

• Fathers’ rights - A father who is being denied access to a child on the grounds that the mother says it is not his can get legal access to that child if his relationship is proven by a DNA paternity test. A DNA paternity test can be vital in custody cases that reach court.

DNA paternity test for child access

There are also countless scenarios where a child might be denied access to their biological father. A mother who believes the father is unfit for example could be trying to protect her child. But the law has recently changed and the rights of the child now supersede the rights of the mother. The Children Act of 1989 now states that the child’s welfare is the most important consideration and having access to both parents is important. Until recently, unmarried fathers did not have an automatic right for contact, but since the law changed in December 2003 - if the man was present at the registration of the birth his position is equal to that of the mother. A DNA paternity test is not required in such circumstances, even if the couple are not married.

Although there was an imbalance in the rights of fathers in the past, the pendulum has swung the other way thanks to campaigning groups such as Fathers for Justice. There is perhaps a misconception that the DNA paternity test is only used in custody battles where the mother is searching for child support from an unwilling father. But now, many fathers use a DNA paternity test to have equal access and responsibility for their child. A high profile example is the current case of celebrity Anna Nicole Smith who has been forced to agree to a DNA paternity test as two men she has had relations with both claim to be her child’s father.

This new law has caused huge distress for some mothers however, especially those who split acrimoniously. Some relationships that are short lived, where the parents were never even married can be even more difficult for the adults concerned. Some mothers feel their rights have been taken away too, and now a new group, Mothers for Justice, has been set up in response to changes in the law.

The nature versus nurture debate is on-going, and some believe that parenthood is not just about a DNA paternity test and that fatherhood should be based on an adult’s ability to be responsible and loving to their child. There are many adoptive fathers out there who do an incredible job of bringing up children who aren’t their biological offspring. Likewise, there are many fathers who have had a DNA paternity test to prove they are the child’s father but who are not capable of being good parents. When it comes to acrimony between parents, it leaves an emotional minefield for the child.

Despite the emotional nuances and pitfalls, a child’s welfare should come first and every child has the right to know who their parents are – which is where a DNA paternity test can help.

International Biosciences offer a broad range of DNA paternity test services designed to provide indisputable answers to emotional questions. Whether you seek to establish paternity, prove siblingship or research genealogy, for legal definition or peace of mind, we are able to provide the appropriate DNA paternity test at competitive rates, professionally and confidentially. Using state of the art technology we are able to provide conclusive evidence on time, every time. Contact International Biosciences on 01342 850945 or click here to email us.

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