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In search of a father: legal challenges surrounding posthumous paternity testing

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 14:40 authored by Ruth StirtonRuth Stirton, Mark J Wilkinson
This article interrogates the workings of the Human Tissue Act 2004, as it applies to paternity testing by DNA analysis after the death of the putative father. We use a case series methodology more usually seen in medical research, through which we present three real case studies involving posthumous paternity testing of retained tissue. We argue that the criminal offence in section 45 of the Human Tissue Act 2004, which is being used to regulate this activity, is inappropriate and inadequate to do so. The threat of the shadow of the criminal law is too blunt an instrument to address the subtleties of the issues that arise in the context of posthumous paternity testing. We call for reform of the Human Tissue Act 2004 and the creation of a specific exception to properly deal with requests of this nature.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Medical Law Review

ISSN

0967-0742

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Issue

4

Volume

23

Page range

531-555

Department affiliated with

  • Law Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-08-22

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-08-20

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