Mandatory Paternity Tests Before Birth Certificates Issued

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - State Rep. G. A. Hardaway is backing a bill requiring a paternity test performed on all babies before their fathers' names are listed on birth certificates.

"They'll bring tears to your eyes," said the Memphis Democrat.

Hardaway said personal pleas for help in his district prompted him to sponsor what could be called the "paternity proposal" in the Tennessee Legislature.

His proposal would affect single adults as well as married couples.

"Well, at some point society has to weigh the rights of the parents against the rights of the child," he said. "And I think this is one of the basic inherent rights that should go with the child."

Right now, it costs $7 to get a copy of a birth certificate. The proposed legislation would add $165 to the cost.

It's not just the price of paternity testing that upsets some people.

"I do not support a paternity bill," said state Rep. Sherry Jones, a Nashville Democrat. "I think it's a real affront to women to say that every baby born has to have a paternity test."

Rebecca Kopp agrees. She recently finished filling out the birth certificate paperwork for her three-month-old son.

"I think it's offensive because I am married," Kopp said. "Even for women who aren't married, if they want to get a birth certificate, I think that that should be their right. I don't think they should have to prove who the father is."

Hardaway contends it's every child's right to know their father. He said it's a struggle he sees everyday.

"Just because we have adults who want to live a lie, lie to each other, the child shouldn't suffer," he said. "The emotional trauma that children go thru when they finally realize that they've been living a lie, it's unforgivable."

The bill is in committee. Hardaway said he is working to change some of the language to help it survive.

Right now, if a woman has been married for 300 days before their baby was born, the husband's name automatically goes on the birth certificate. If a woman is not married and wants the father's name on the paperwork, she has to get a paternity test and have it notarized before the father's name is listed.

About the Pre-Natal Paternity Test

Pre-natal paternity testing is performed before the birth of the child. The test is typically performed by analysing either a CVS sample or by using amniotic fluid. The patient would be required to independently arrange for collection of either CVS samples or amniocentesis. Once the hospital sends these samples to us we can proceed with the pre-natal paternity test.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is usually performed at a very early stage of pregnancy, generally around the 11th to 13th week of pregnancy. During the CVS procedure, a catheter is inserted through the cervix and a small sample is taken from the outside of the gestational sack by gentle suction. This sampling procedure allows the obstetrician to obtain a small amount of fetal chorionic villi (trophoblastic tissue), which is used for the pre-natal paternity test. Pre-natal paternity tests conducted using CVS samples are just as accurate as tests, which are performed after the child is born.

What should I expect after the CVS?

For the first couple of days you may experience some abdominal discomfort, period-like pain or a little bleeding. These are relatively common and in the vast majority of cases the pregnancy continues without any problems. You may find it helpful to take simple painkillers like paracetamol. If there is a lot of pain or bleeding or if you develop a temperature please seek medical advice.

Who performs the procedure?
The customer will have to contact their doctor or local medical centre for their nearest centre in which this type of DNA sample collection can be arranged. DNA Solutions does not perform DNA extraction from the unborn child - we can certainly analyse this at the same costs as a paternity test.

Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is generally performed at later stages of pregnancy. During an amniocentesis procedure, a small amount of amniotic fluid (10ml) is withdrawn transabdominally by your obstetrician. Amniotic fluid is also an excellent sample for paternity testing; paternity tests performed using amniotic fluid, are just as accurate as tests conducted after the child is born.

Whether you choose chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, results are usually available 10 to 15 working days after specimen collection.

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