These are some common concerns identified by the China DNA Project, which also apply to adoptions everywhere.
“Because our commitment has been to develop a database that would help both our children and all people of Chinese descent, the speed of bringing about the database has never been as critical to us as its quality and as establishing comfort in it among the Chinese adoption community. After all, our children’s DNA isn’t going anywhere. Doing this right is more important than doing it quickly.
So what does this mean for the a-China DNA Project? Parents can be assured that we will continue to maintain our strong connection to the academic and scientific communities going forward. In addition, however, we are broadening our mission to include parent education and advocacy with the hope of inspiring more families to gain confidence in such a database in the long run. Importantly, whichever company or academic group eventually takes on the DNA database, they will need to provide parents with appropriate, informative educational materials. We see a role for our organization in assuring that the hard questions are asked and answered.
We also know, from experiences of the current SisterFar families and communications with adult Korean adoptees, that there would be an absolute requirement for counseling, family support services, etc. While discovering the existence of a biological relative in the western hemisphere would seem to be joyful, it could also be quite stressful, both for the adoptees and for their families. Families would need to be counseled and prepared for potential issues prior to matching. If either family decides they are not ready to meet their potential match, they should be allowed to opt out of contact. Because of these issues, the a-ChinaDNA board would remain “heavy” with people experienced in adoptee or family counseling and therapy.”
“Should we wait until our children are old enough to give their own consent to participate?
That is a personal decision that every family will need to make on their own.
Importantly, establishing the a-China DNA database is not the same as searching for siblings or birth parents. It is only the first step. The “who”, “when” and even “whether” to search would be left up to each family. Whether or not your family decides to use this information to search for a relative today, your child’s DNA profile will help improve the strength of the database for all a-China families who choose to participate.
The DNA testing of children in this case falls into the paternity/family linkage heading. Unlike testing for disease genes, minors can be tested and their families informed of the results. Families can participate in the database, and request to not be informed of the results until they feel ready or until the child is 18 years of age. “
“Doesn’t creating a DNA database send mixed messages to our children about the importance of biology in creating families?
Since each adoptee views the complexities of life through the lens of his or her own unique life experiences and perspectives, the importance placed on a biological connection will be different for each and every one of them. For some, it will be very important; for others, not at all. We won’t know how our own children will feel about this until they are older. When that day arrives, this database will offer a safe way – for those who want it – to access their biological relatives.
Importantly, biology and biological relatedness can play an important role in our children’s health. Your family would be able to join the database at any time with the intent of reserving the right to search for DNA matches unless and until your child has a medical reason to do so. Biological relatives in the database would not be notified of a match with your child if you do not want that information released.”
“Isn’t this project yet another misguided attempt by adoptive parents to insinuate themselves into a place in their children’s life journey that is better left to them alone?
This is perhaps the most important question.
The a-China database is not being created for adoptive parents to search for their children’s birth parents. We are creating the database for them to use if and when they decide to search for themselves.
A database of genetic information would have so many other benefits to both our children and all people of Chinese descent, including:
*Genetic history
*Sibling and cousin search
*Future health information
*A stock of DNA in the event of a catastrophic (9-11) event
*A valuable public health database for all people of Chinese descent
Our children’s search for their birth parents is just one of them.”
To read more on their website go to www.a-chinadnaproject.org.