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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 WilkinsonThis 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 ReviewISSN
0967-0742Publisher
Oxford University PressExternal DOI
Issue
4Volume
23Page range
531-555Department affiliated with
- Law Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-08-22First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-08-20Usage metrics
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