Hacker News Reader

Comment by zapdrive | Hacker News Reader

What do you expect from a government that has criminalised DNA based paternity tests done without the consent of the mom. Yes, if you have doubts about your wife's loyalty and want to silently do a DNA test with your supposed child to make sure you are the actual father, you need your wife's consent. If you do it without her consent, you will go to jail. I know it's off topic, but that's the first thing that comes to my mind whenever i hear the word "France".

View on HN

That the worst you can think about France? Well thanks, that’s a cute one.

Note: France might be the most authoritarian country of the western world (depending if you count Eastern Europe, Turkey or Israel in the western world). Not disputing that.

However, this seems misleading [0]. To me, it's clear that what's illegal are private genetic tests.

It's a law from 97 also.

And if you have doubts, you have to go see a judge:

""Si vous saisissez un juge pour établir ou contester un lien de filiation, vous pouvez lui demander un test de paternité.

Le test peut être refusé par le juge uniquement pour un motif légitime.

Vous n'avez pas à réunir des preuves ou indices de la paternité pour obtenir le test.""

[0] https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F14042

> To me, it's clear that what's illegal are private genetic tests.

Which is even worse ? Why the hell I have no right to know my own DNA ?

It's a law from 97. Probably at the time, the only reason you had to make a test was for paternity/fraternity, and I'm not shocked that any country think privacy and not giving your DNA to unknown labs under unknown entities is a good idea. Probably even worse, is giving your children's DNA toaan unknown party. In France, the parents do NOT have total power over their children.

I think the law is old and should be updated, to authorize personal tests at will (why not), but restrict testing a child privately (for obvious reasons).

Can you make a DNA test in another country?

Also illegal but not uncommon.

To clarify, French judges can order paternity tests as part of a hearing.

Germany has restrictions on paternity tests as well.

Reaching Spain or Germany would be a breeze for any French.

Do you have a reference to this law?

Do you know what happens when the parents are 2 men or 2 women or the mom has passed away?

> Yes, if you have doubts about your wife's loyalty and want to silently do a DNA test with your supposed child to make sure you are the actual father, you need your wife's consent. If you do it without her consent, you will go to jail.

Uh yeah, because that's extremely creepy and fucked up?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com