The pitfalls of DNA testing!

[sugarfizzle]

Is this the other article, Maiden Stone?

https://www.vox.com/2014/9/9/6107039/23andme-ancestry-dna-testing

George 'Doe's' story is quite a way down the article.

It clearly states that Thomas was born before the marriage of George's parents.

'Through the close relative finder program on 23andMe, the family discovered Thomas, a son George's father had conceived and given up for adoption before marrying George's mother. (You can read George's full story here (https://www.vox.com/2014/9/9/5975653/with-genetic-testing-i-gave-my-parents-the-gift-of-divorce-23andme' in this transcript of Vox's conversations with him.)'

Since both articles are from vox.com it would have made sense to include it in the article I first referenced.

So why is nobody speaking to the father? I am at a loss.

Regards Margaret

[Ruskie]

It seems a bit unfair doesn't it Margaret? There must be additional reasons that the family doesn't speak to the father (surely?) - maybe this discovery was the final nail in the coffin? 

I feel sorry for men sometimes (not specifically related to this story) when they discover years later that a past relationship produced a child they knew nothing about .... 

[sugarfizzle]

I feel sorry for men sometimes (not specifically related to this story) when they discover years later that a past relationship produced a child they knew nothing about .... 

Think about sperm donors. Imagine DNA testing, you eagerly anticipate your results. On the day, you discover not only one half sibling, but hundreds!

What a can of worms we present day genealogists might be preparing for those in the future.

Regards Margaret

[Ruskie]

I feel sorry for men sometimes (not specifically related to this story) when they discover years later that a past relationship produced a child they knew nothing about .... 

Think about sperm donors. Imagine DNA testing, you eagerly anticipate your results. On the day, you discover not only one half sibling, but hundreds!

What a can of worms we present day genealogists might be preparing for those in the future.

Regards Margaret

Yes, I always thought sperm donation had the potential to cause a lot of issues ... and they keep changing the rules I think?. Aren't men who 'donated' years ago with the promise on anonymity these days able to be contacted by their biological children?

[Mart 'n' Al]

I feel sorry for the youth of today, not knowing whether they are dating an unknown half-sibling, or even an unknown transgender half-sibling.  These days 'something for the weekend' probably includes DNA test results.

I remember a former school classmate going to Thailand many years ago, wondering how he would  tell if he was chatting up a 'lady-boy'.  It is even more complex these days.  I believe in science and progress, but I'm not sure that it is all progress these days.  And it must be even harder for religious people to accept.

Martin