Ethics of DNA test for ethnicity that unexpectantly finds long lost cousin

[jack63]

So I heard of this true story. Not giving too much info to protect the innocent; however, any opinions or advice from a catholic standpoint would be helpful.

A family gets bored and does one of those DNA tests that tells you your ethnic background.

Should be fun, right?

They find they have a long lost cousin who was put up for adoption. Basically, an uncle from a deeply Catholic country, got a girl that he didn’t marry in trouble. The baby was put up for adoption. Nobody knew. Decades later the connection is made on one of the DNA ethnic background tests.

It’s good there was no abortion…obviously…

The questions I have…

1. Are these DNA tests ethical from a Christian or Catholic standpoint?
   a. Are there any articles out there that discuss this?
2. Is it good to contact this adopted adult’s potential brothers or sisters and tell them?
3. From a Catholic standpoint, is this child put of for adoption really family?
4. Is it best just to try to forget the entire thing?

 

[His_helpmeet]

My father’s family located a cousin of his who had been placed for adoption. The family knew about it but I believe it was a closed adoption. All the cousin knew was her natural mother’s maiden name. She started doing genealogy research online and came across her uncle (My grandfather’s brother). He told her, “I know who you are. I held you in the hospital after you were born.” She eventually met her natural mother and the natural and adoptive mothers met each other. She has since been in touch with and has met other members of the family.

I don’t think these are ethically questionable as long as you’re not doing them because of unfounded suspicions of infidelity. It could bring up important medical information, for exsmple.

 

[Viki63]

I have adopted children so will give my 2 cents worth.

1. I see no reason why these DNA tests would be problematic from a Catholic standpoint. People are interested in their heritage, so why not?
2. I would not contact the relatives of the person placed for adoption. There are websites where people can sign up to locate adopted children or birthparents, if they want to. If the birthmother didn’t discuss her situation with her other children, clearly she didn’t want to and distant relatives shouldn’t interfere.
3. The question about being really family doesn’t make much sense to me. The adopted person is related by blood to his or her family, but has been adopted into another family. What does being “really family” mean?
4. The Catholic standpoint is that we should be kind and charitable to one another. So what’s best for all concerned is what should be done. The birthmother had the right to tell her family about it, but no one else does without her permission.
   My adopted son got in contact with his birthmother and was very happy to discover that he has 5 half siblings. It worked out well for him. So if the adopted person wanted to, he or she could search for relatives. The relatives could even sign up on one of those websites. But since they are not directly involved, it might be best to just pray for everyone involved.

 

[jack63]

Viki…yes thank you this helpful.

In the case I know of, for example, the mother’s family was more than happy to contact and make a nice connection with the man put up for adoption.

The issue is that the relation is through the father. It get’s more complicated when the relation is through the father…this is what the test revealed.

Honestly, the father literally may not have known he fathered a child…unlikely but possible. Also, he may have known, but may have been married.

It is even more complicated because the three possible fathers/brothers died, and the mother died.

 

[1ke]

Are these DNA tests ethical from a Christian or Catholic standpoint?

This is not a matter of morality at all. There is nothing inherently immoral about DNA tests. This would be a prudential matter.

Is it good to contact this adopted adult’s potential brothers or sisters and tell them?

Another prudential matter.

From a Catholic standpoint, is this child put of for adoption really family?

What sort of question is this? Why is this a “Catholic” issue? This is a human being who is related to you, of course they are family. Whether you choose to pursue a relationship with this newly found family member is another question that is a prudential matter.

Is it best just to try to forget the entire thing?

This is a prudential matter. We don’t know all the people involved.

 

[TechieGuy]

I found my birth family through DNA testing and it has been a very positive experience for me…your mileage may vary…

 

[TheLittleLady]

I have great reservations about having my DNA stored in a big centralized database. Too much info for me, not worth a little bit of fun.