“Is it acceptable for an individual (or organization) to carry out DNA paternity exclusion testing (as in the above scenario) using hair or saliva sampled without permission?”

To determine whether it is acceptable for an individual or organization to carry out DNA paternity exclusion testing, one must first examine the dilemma of clashing rights, the implications of this technology to individuals, family and society, including the economic repercussions, moral questions and religious aspects of the case. But, before any of these subjects are examined, there must be an understanding of genetics.

“Genetics is the science of heredity that tries to account for both the similarities and differences between individuals.” It is possible to break up genetics in to several categories relevant to this topic. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid is the basic material of which genes and chromosomes are composed. They consist of a double chain of nucleotides, which are connected to each other like rungs on a ladder. Each nucleotide is made up of a phosphate, a deoxyribose sugar and one of four possible bases, which are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine ...