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Australian men's group objects to new paternity law plan


A men's lobby group in Australia objected Tuesday to a planned law making it an offence to sneak a sample of hair or saliva from a child for a DNA DNA: see nucleic acid.
DNA
 or deoxyribonucleic acid

One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes.
 paternity test paternity test
n.
A test using blood group identification of a mother, child, and putative father to establish the probability of paternity.


paternity test,
n
.

The move could force men to pay child support for children who are not biologically their own, said Men's Rights Agency director Sue Price.

Under current laws men are entitled to have money they have paid in child support returned to them if DNA tests prove they are not the father.

"We know of some men who've had orders made in their favour for the money to be returned to them, that the mother should pay the money back," Price told public radio.

She said paternity tests should be mandatory when a woman claimed child support.

"It would eliminate a lot of these problems so at least we could guarantee that they are collecting the money from the right person," she said.

"But of course, they're pretty unwilling to do those sort of tests."

Some mothers are being forced to pay back as much as 60,000 Australian dollars (40,000 US) in child support to men they wrongly claimed had fathered their children, the Daily Telegraph reported.

However, the government is considering outlawing the non-consensual taking of samples for DNA testing DNA testing
Analysis of DNA (the genetic component of cells) in order to determine changes in genes that may indicate a specific disorder.

Mentioned in: Acoustic Neuroma, Retinoblastoma, Von Willebrand Disease
, said Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus.

"Non-consensual genetic testing Genetic Testing Definition

A genetic test examines the genetic information contained inside a person's cells, called DNA, to determine if that person has or will develop a certain disease or could pass a disease to his or her offspring.
 may involve physical harm, where a bodily sample is taken by force, or emotional harm, where the paternity The state or condition of a father; the relationship of a father.

English and U.S. Common Law have recognized the importance of establishing the paternity of children.
 or identity of the individual is questioned, or genetic predisposition genetic predisposition Molecular medicine The tendency to suffer from certain genetic diseases–eg, Huntington's disease, or inherit certain skills–eg, musical talent  to illness is identified without that person's consent," he said.

The rapid development of genetic technology, allowing testing on hair, saliva and cheek cells, had made tougher laws necessary, he said.
Copyright 2008 AFP Global Edition
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
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Author:AFP
Publication:AFP Global Edition
Date:Nov 11, 2008
Words:280
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