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Zimbabwean men are raising non biological children
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Recent data from Global DNA Zimbabwe has unveiled startling findings regarding paternity testing in the country. According to the latest statistics, an astonishing 72% of paternity tests conducted have returned negative results, meaning that in most cases, presumed fathers are not biologically related to the children they are raising.
These figures suggest a growing trend of men unknowingly raising children who are not their own, raising critical questions about trust, family dynamics, and the increasing demand for DNA testing services.
In an interview with HealthTimes, Partners Chiriseri from Global DNA Zimbabwe revealed that a significant number of men undergoing DNA tests discover they are not the biological fathers of their children.
"The current statistics for people who have undergone testing are both shocking and interesting. Most clients come for paternity tests, and currently, 72% of the results issued are negative, while only 28% are positive," said Chiriseri.
He explained that paternity tests produce only two possible results—either 0% or 99.99% certainty. There are no intermediate percentages, as partial probabilities only apply to relationship tests.
"Most people do DNA tests to confirm the paternity of their alleged children. This usually stems from suspicions of infidelity, particularly on the part of women, leading the alleged fathers to seek confirmation. These tests provide peace of mind to those involved."
However, he emphasized that DNA tests are not only used to determine paternity but also serve other purposes, including career development and migration.
"DNA tests can be conducted for immigration purposes, especially for individuals applying for visas to countries like the UK and the United States. Parents may need to prove their biological relationship with their children before relocating," he said.
He added that DNA profiling is becoming increasingly popular, allowing individuals to have their genetic information stored for future use.
"DNA samples can be banked for future identification purposes, such as in cases where human remains are unrecognizable after an accident. The stored profile can then be compared to recovered DNA samples for identification," he explained.
On a broader scale, DNA testing is crucial in legal cases.
"For example, in rape cases, DNA testing can help identify suspects if semen or other biological evidence is collected from victims. By comparing the DNA profile of a suspect to the collected sample, authorities can confirm or rule out their involvement," Chiriseri added.
Some countries, such as the United States, have already established national DNA databases for convicts. If adopted in Zimbabwe, such a system could assist in criminal investigations, suspect identification, and law enforcement efforts.
These figures suggest a growing trend of men unknowingly raising children who are not their own, raising critical questions about trust, family dynamics, and the increasing demand for DNA testing services.
In an interview with HealthTimes, Partners Chiriseri from Global DNA Zimbabwe revealed that a significant number of men undergoing DNA tests discover they are not the biological fathers of their children.
"The current statistics for people who have undergone testing are both shocking and interesting. Most clients come for paternity tests, and currently, 72% of the results issued are negative, while only 28% are positive," said Chiriseri.
He explained that paternity tests produce only two possible results—either 0% or 99.99% certainty. There are no intermediate percentages, as partial probabilities only apply to relationship tests.
"Most people do DNA tests to confirm the paternity of their alleged children. This usually stems from suspicions of infidelity, particularly on the part of women, leading the alleged fathers to seek confirmation. These tests provide peace of mind to those involved."
However, he emphasized that DNA tests are not only used to determine paternity but also serve other purposes, including career development and migration.
"DNA tests can be conducted for immigration purposes, especially for individuals applying for visas to countries like the UK and the United States. Parents may need to prove their biological relationship with their children before relocating," he said.
He added that DNA profiling is becoming increasingly popular, allowing individuals to have their genetic information stored for future use.
"DNA samples can be banked for future identification purposes, such as in cases where human remains are unrecognizable after an accident. The stored profile can then be compared to recovered DNA samples for identification," he explained.
On a broader scale, DNA testing is crucial in legal cases.
"For example, in rape cases, DNA testing can help identify suspects if semen or other biological evidence is collected from victims. By comparing the DNA profile of a suspect to the collected sample, authorities can confirm or rule out their involvement," Chiriseri added.
Some countries, such as the United States, have already established national DNA databases for convicts. If adopted in Zimbabwe, such a system could assist in criminal investigations, suspect identification, and law enforcement efforts.
Source - HealthTimes
