Source: When a DNA analysis reveals a closely guarded family secret, The Hindu, December 3, 2024
The Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in Hyderabad handled a sensitive case involving organ donation.
DNA testing was conducted to confirm the biological relationship between a donor father, a patient son, and the mother.
While the mother-son relationship was consistent, the test revealed that the donor father was not the biological father of the patient but a close paternal relative, likely the biological father’s brother.
Role Of DNA Testing
DNA profiling, which examines specific patterns of repeated sequences in the genome, was used to establish the familial relationship.
The process involved generating DNA profiles from the donor, recipient, and mother, revealing inconsistencies in the claimed father-son relationship.
The findings demonstrated the utility of DNA testing in forensic and medical contexts but also highlighted potential privacy concerns.
Levirate Marriage And Its Cultural Context
The results pointed to the practice of levirate marriage, where a widowed or incapacitated woman’s children are fathered by her husband’s brother.
This traditional practice is culturally significant in some Indian communities, where ensuring lineage continuity is prioritized over biological parentage.
The findings brought attention to the persistence of such customs in contemporary society.
Ethical And Privacy Concerns
While the CDFD report confirmed that the donor and recipient were related and cleared the organ transplant, it inadvertently disclosed private familial information.
The revelation of non-biological parentage risked exposing sensitive cultural practices, raising concerns about the ethical implications of sharing genetic data and the need for safeguarding genetic privacy.
Scientific Process Of DNA Profiling
The case highlighted the precision of DNA profiling. It involves identifying the number of short tandem repeats (STRs) at specific loci on chromosomes, amplified through techniques like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed using capillary gel electrophoresis. This method is critical for confirming relationships but can uncover unexpected results, as seen here.
Cultural And Historical Insights
The case reflects a deep-rooted emphasis on lineage in Indian culture, where sons play a critical role in performing ancestral rituals.
Projit Bihari Mukharji, a historian of science affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania and Ashoka University in Haryana, explored the tradition of levirate marriage in India in his 2022 book Brown Skins, White Coats: Race Science in India, 1920-66.
In his work, Mukharji referenced the influential anthropologist and author Irawati Karve (1905–1970). He highlighted her discussion of the “three debts” that every Hindu man was obligated to repay for spiritual liberation. These debts were owed to the gods, the sages, and the ancestors.
Do You Know?
Irawati Karve (December 15, 1905 – August 11, 1970) was a prominent Indian sociologist, anthropologist, educator, and writer from Maharashtra. A student of G.S. Ghurye, the pioneer of sociology in India, she is often regarded as the first female sociologist in the country.
Legal And Policy Implications
The case underscores the need for clear laws on genetic privacy and the ethical use of DNA data in India. While DNA testing is invaluable for medical and forensic purposes, the lack of robust privacy protections can lead to unintended breaches of personal and familial information.
Key Terms At A Glance
Science and Technology
- DNA Fingerprinting
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD)
- DNA Profiling
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Capillary Gel Electrophoresis
- Genome
- Chromosomes (e.g., chromosome 1 and 21)
- Base Pairs (Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, Thymidine)
- Simple Tandem Repeats (STRs)
- Y-Chromosome Analysis
Ethics and Privacy
- Genetic Privacy
- Ethical Concerns of DNA Analysis
- Breach of Family Privacy in DNA Testing
Social Issues and Cultural Practices
- Levirate Marriage
- Cultural Norms and Kinship in India
- Anthropological Studies in India
- Irawati Karve’s Contributions
Legal and Policy Dimensions
- Organ Transplant Laws
- Legal Challenges in Genetic Testing
- Need for Laws on Genetic Privacy in India
Key Terms Explained
Science and Technology
- DNA Fingerprinting: It is a technique to identify individuals by analyzing specific patterns in their DNA, often used in forensic investigations and establishing biological relationships.
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD): A government laboratory in Hyderabad that provides DNA-based investigative services to police, judiciary, and hospitals, as illustrated in the case of confirming relationships for organ transplants.
- DNA Profiling: DNA profiling involves determining the number of times specific DNA sequences are repeated at various loci on chromosomes. This process can establish biological relationships and genetic identity.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): A method to amplify specific DNA sequences to produce large quantities of DNA from small samples, essential for DNA profiling.
- Capillary Gel Electrophoresis: A technique used to separate DNA fragments by size, enabling accurate determination of the number of STR repeats for DNA profiling.
- Genome: The entire set of chromosomes in an organism, containing all its genetic information. Human genomes consist of 23 pairs of chromosomes, each inherited from a parent.
- Chromosomes: Linear structures within the nucleus of cells that contain DNA molecules. Humans have 23 pairs, with chromosome 1 being the largest and chromosome 21 the smallest.
- Base Pairs (Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, Thymidine): DNA consists of sequences of these four bases, where adenine pairs with thymidine (A-T) and cytosine pairs with guanine (C-G) to form the molecule’s double-stranded structure.
- Simple Tandem Repeats (STRs): Short DNA sequences repeated multiple times at specific loci in chromosomes. The repeat numbers vary between individuals and are key to DNA profiling.
- Y-Chromosome Analysis: Identifies male lineage relationships, as the Y chromosome is inherited unchanged from father to son. This was used in the case to confirm a close paternal relationship.
Ethics And Privacy
- Genetic Privacy: The protection of personal genetic information to prevent its misuse. The case highlights how explicit DNA findings can inadvertently breach familial and personal privacy.
- Ethical Concerns of DNA Analysis: DNA analysis may unintentionally reveal sensitive familial information, such as non-biological parentage, raising ethical questions about its disclosure.
- Breach of Family Privacy in DNA Testing: In the case study, the explicit revelation of non-biological parentage risked exposing private familial practices, showcasing the challenges of balancing medical requirements with privacy.
Social Issues And Cultural Practices
- Levirate Marriage: A traditional practice where a widowed woman or one whose husband is incapacitated has children with her husband’s brother. This was identified in the DNA case analyzed by CDFD.
- Irawati Karve’s Contributions: A pioneering anthropologist, Karve explored Indian family structures, emphasizing the importance of sons in ancestral offerings as part of Hindu customs.