DNA testing: It’s time we create a policy

OPINION

By Patrick G. Musoke

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the genetic material, which one inherits from their mother or father.

People carry out DNA tests for various reasons, including but not limited to identifying links to genetic conditions, gaining legal rights to a child and ascertaining paternity birthed by fears of misattributed paternity. It is also vital to note that in the present society, DNA tests have aroused irreconcilable controversies in the public domain some of which have left families split whereas others have greatly damaged the dignity of the minors involved, something that calls for the need for a DNA policy creation and stricter regulation. The recent rapid DNA testing in Uganda is a creature of a stiff financial implication, which has morally justified the need for DNA testing.

This is due to the fact that parents have a moral and legal responsibility under Section 6(1) of the Childrens’ Act to fulfill their parental responsibility towards their children.

However, it is also evident that a meagre society of men are willing to spend pennies on their “so called” children even without testing provided they trust their partners and also observe the features of their children as visually linked to theirs.

DNA testing has become an paramount part of the present-day society and there is need for government to officially come up with regulations pertaining to DNA testing aimed at making it more affordable and secondly, to ensure that the dignity of the child is also protected throughout the process.

Read the full version at www.newvision.co.ug The writer is a lawyer, author and researcher.