Parents and birth certificates

Sir, – A letter writer informs us that she visited her Garda station recently to declare that her twin boys had no father (Letters, September 24th). Of course every child has a father, and a mother. This is confirmed by the simple fact that each baby shares the DNA of both of its parents. Denying knowledge of their biological parentage to children is always wrong, whether it is done by laundries, baby homes, or some same-sex couples. A child’s right to know its genetic parentage should always come first. – Yours, etc,

GABRIELLE

BROCKLESBY,

Dún Laoghaire,

READ SOME MORE

Co Dublin.

A chara, – A letter writer suggests it is perfectly acceptable, and indeed a human right, for two people who are married to be entered on the birth certificate of a child as the parents, even where one is not. Further, that it is reasonable to pretend that one biological parent does not and never did exist. It isn’t. That applies to both heterosexual and same-sex couples.

The birth certificate is not a document that confers guardianship or other rights to those named on it, nor is it the place for them to be expressed. It is a document for the child, not the adults. As we have seen, in 30 or 40 years it may become a key instrument in finding family and in some cases discovering basic identity.

To knowingly put inaccurate information on it, or exclude relevant true information, for the benefit of the adults named as parents – as we have seen with the adoption fiasco – is an obvious recipe for future disaster. – Is mise,

DAVE SLATER,

Kilkea,

Co Kildare.