Is DNA Testing an Accurate Way to Answer Paternity Questions?

DNA testing has been used in to determine biological relationships in the United States for awhile now. We use DNA Paternity testing, and other DNA relationship tests to answer questions for uncertainties, or for those who believe they found long lost family members. DNA science technology has given us answers to questions we would not have been able to imagine could be answered several years ago.

Paternity testing in other parts of the world

Emirates 24/7 shows us another viewpoint on the topic. Professors of Ilsamic Shariah law state “DNA analysis is not the accurate method to determine a person’s lineage.” Dr. Ahmad Abdul Aziz Al Haddad of Iftaa’ Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department of Dubai, and Dr Abdul Ha’aq Humaish, professor of Islamic Sharaiah Law of Sharjah University refuse to rely on DNA testing in paternity cases. A family court judge, Khalid Al Hawsani, considers paternity testing as a presumption and not evidence of paternity. You can read more about this on Emirates 24/7.

Is DNA testing an accurate way to answer paternity questions?

Every community must decide for themselves how to interpret and apply genetic information.  While the U.S. has accepted DNA Paternity Testing as standard evidence in family law and criminal cases, we still have questions about other kinds of genetic information: how do we develop DNA testing for medical diagnosis? Should we use genetic information for health insurance? How about a DNA test that determines your diet and exercise program?  Judges of Shariah Law are defining how they will accept and use paternity test information.  Meanwhile in the US, you can pick up the IDENTIGENE home paternity test kit at your local retailer or online, which is something that was unheard of just six years ago.  One thing is certain: genetic testing is changing the way we think about the world.