A law of blood-ties-- the 'right' to access genetic ancestry [electronic resource] / Alice Diver.

A law of blood-ties-- the 'right' to access genetic ancestry [electronic resource] / Alice Diver.

9783319010717 electronic book
3319010719 electronic book
9783319010700

Cham : Springer, [2013?]

©2014

English

1 online resource (XIII, 306 pages.)

10.1007/978-3-319-01071-7 doi

K3611.G46

341.48

This text collates and examines the jurisprudence that currently exists in respect of blood-tied genetic connection, arguing that the right to identity often rests upon the ability to identify biological ancestors, which in turn requires an absence of adult-centric veto norms. It looks firstly to the nature and purpose of the blood-tie as a unique item of birthright heritage, whose socio-cultural value perhaps lies mainly in preventing, or perhaps engendering, a feared or revered sense of 'otherness'. It then traces the evolution of the various policies on 'telling' and accessing truth, tying these to the diverse body of psychological theories on the need for unbroken attachments and the harms of being origin deprived. The 'law' of the blood-tie comprises of several overlapping and sometimes conflicting strands: the international law provisions and UNCRC Country Reports on the child's right to identity, recent Strasbourg case law, and domestic case law from a number of jurisdictions on issues such as legal parentage, vetoes on post-adoption contact, court-delegated decision-making, overturned placements and the best interests of the relinquished child. The text also suggests a means of preventing the discriminatory effects of denied ancestry, calling upon domestic jurists, legislators, policy-makers and parents to be mindful of the long-term effects of genetic 'kinlessness' upon origin deprived persons, especially where they have been tasked with protecting this vulnerable section of the population.

Includes bibliographical references.

Access limited to authorized users.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed September 3, 2013).

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