To test or not to test? - Lawmakers divided on mandatory DNA testing proposal

Lawmakers have expressed varying opinions on whether mandatory DNA testing at birth should be enacted into law.

Their colleague Heroy Clarke, who is member of parliament (MP) for St James Central, has been vocal about the issue of paternity fraud, which he believes is a serious concern. Clarke told THE STAR that he had written a motion for DNA testing to be mandatory at birth, but that it has yet to be tabled in Parliament. But Opposition Senator Damion Crawford stated that mandatory paternity testing is not the core issue.

"I think we're putting the cart before the horse," he said. "We should have mandatory placement of a father on the birth certificate." Crawford further opined that if a father requests a DNA test before adding his name, that should be allowed. He pointed out that more than 40 per cent of households in Jamaica are led by single parents, a significantly higher rate than the global average of eight. He emphasised that this situation often leads to adverse outcomes for children, such as malnutrition and poor educational performance.

"There shouldn't be a birth certificate without a father's name," he added. The senator also argued that paternity testing should not be mandatory.

"If I don't want to research it, why should it be automatic?" he questioned. "If me and my wife want to live in my bliss of lack of knowledge, why should it be automatic that I have to do that?"

Natalie Neita Garvey, who represents St Catherine North Central, opined that mandatory testing is not something we should be embarking on at this time.

"I think we still need to believe in our people, and also, taking into consideration the cost and the expense to us, I don't believe that it should be one of the things we're focusing on at this time. There are just so many other things required to do for the family," she told THE STAR. Neita Garvey also warned that such a law could disrupt family life.

Education Minister, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, agreed that mandatory DNA testing is not "necessarily something we should prioritise".

"I think more important for me is having both parents participate in the raising of their children, and we know that in our country, we have an issue with many of our fathers not necessarily participating to the extent they should, and that for me is the priority," Morris Dixon said. "When we look at the challenges we have in the education system, a lot of that is coming back from the home and the breakdown in the home."

Neita Garvey also added that the focus should be on "education and values, and improving our value system; and ensuring that our people understand the importance of monogamy as we try to instil (it) from a Christian point of view and how this affects the children".

However, St Andrew North Central MP Karl Samuda expressed support for mandatory DNA testing.

"I think it is very critical for us to enable identification through appropriate channels like blood testing and so on, to ensure that fathers are identified and children know precisely where they stand. In fact, I think the development of our children is the most crucial thing we have, because they are our future," he said.

Outgoing St Ann South Eastern MP Lisa Hanna noted that when she was culture minister, she was also in charge of the Child Adoption Board. It was observed that some families broke up after the mandatory testing was done for processes involving US visas.

"So I would say that based on how other jurisdictions work and knowing sometimes how Jamaicans are ... they need to understand that other jurisdictions require it," she said, adding that while she understood the reasoning behind the proposal for mandatory testing, one cannot "legislate morality".