As a result of increasing sexual openness, more Taiwanese are seeking an anonymous DNA analysis service from medical institutions to identify who sired their offspring.
In some cases, it is an unmarried mother trying to identify who, among her numerous boyfriends, fathered her child. In others, it is a suspicious husband who thinks his son is looking more and more like his wife's ex-lover as he grows up.
A Chinese-language daily yesterday reported the story of "Ms Lee," who successfully played DNA detective to discover the paternity of her three-year-old daughter. She dated one suspect ex-boyfriend after another and tried to steal identifying evidence from them -- a strand of hair, a cup or a cigarette butt stained with saliva, dirty underwear, or a used condom -- so that she could send the materials for DNA analysis, the report said.
She found the father after her fifth date, as that man's DNA analysis matched with her daughter's, the report said.
DNA analysis is 99.999 percent accurate in identifying blood relations. Blood, saliva, hair, and semen or vaginal secretions all contain a person's DNA, or biological identity, says Ke Tsang-ming (
In a normal DNA test procedure, both parents and the child must present proof of identity to the hospital. Mug shots of both parents and the child are also taken on site at the hospitals.
But a market for anonymous DNA services is now emerging, as sexual relationships become increasingly tangled and "suspects" refuse to cooperate in normal procedures.
Anonymous DNA service means the clients do not have to identify themselves or the owner of the identifying evidence sent for analysis. Sometimes, the doctors do not even get to see the clients, as the materials can be sent by mail or courier, and the testing fees (NT$7,000 to NT$10,000 per test) can be paid by post office remittance.
The results of such anonymous tests cannot be used as evidence in court, but it can ensure that would-be plaintiffs have the right targets in their sights. They can then file suit and request a court order asking the defendant to undergo an official DNA test.
The Department of Health is now working on stricter regulations for DNA analysis in order to prevent substandard tests, as well as possible disputes resulting from inaccurate test results.
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