Demand grows but DNA tests fall under a grey area

Subject: Science & tech

Context: The Supreme Court of India declared that a forced DNA test violates the right to privacy and personal liberty.

Concept:

The decision came in a property dispute, wherein the plaintiff claimed to be the son of late Trilok Gupta and late Sona Devi.
Supreme Court concluded that when a person refuses to take a DNA test, compelling them to do so would violate their personal liberty and right to privacy.
Further, the court stated that if other evidence is available to determine the relationship, DNA tests should not be ordered because they have significant privacy and societal consequences.

About DNA Test

DNA analysis is extremely useful and accurate. DNA analysis can ascertain the identity of a person from his/her DNA sample.
The DNA sample can also establish biological relationships between individuals. For example,
A hair sample or blood stains from clothes taken from a scene of the crime can clearly establish whether the DNA in the sample belongs to the suspected individual or not.
As a result, DNA technology is being increasingly relied upon in investigations of crime, identification of unidentified bodies, or in determining parentage, etc.

How DNA test is performed?

There are two equally accurate ways to test:

Blood tests: Blood samples are collected from the persons for whom DNA test has to be conducted, at a medical office. The facility sends the samples to a lab for analysis.
Cheek swabs: One can swab the inside of their cheeks for buccal (cheek) cells and them mail the cotton swab applicators to a designated lab. If swabbing takes place in a medical setting, the office sends the samples to a lab.