Genetic profile testing is the analysis of an individual’s unique DNA, RNA, or chromosomes to identify genetic markers, gene variations, or mutations. It serves as a highly detailed biological “fingerprint” used to detect specific genes, mutations, or inherited traits, among other things.
The Fund is in a number of cases experiencing problems when it comes to the distribution of the Death Benefit of members who have minor children with disputed paternity. Valuing transparency, the Fund has, through its continuous engagements with Cerba Lancet Eswatini, formerly known as Lancet Laboratories, regarding DNA issues, found a solution regarding DNA questions that normally surface after a member’s death, wherein families dispute paternity of some children or claim that the member denied paternity during his lifetime but had no money for DNA tests.
The main problem is usually that there is always no one in the family (be it a father, aunt, brother, sister, son, daughter, etc.) with positive DNA results confirming that he/she is related to the deceased, whose blood samples can be used for kinship DNA testing against the disputed children.
The biggest challenge is that there is often no living family member who has already been scientifically proven by DNA testing to be biologically related to the deceased person. This could be a parent, sibling, child, aunt, uncle, or any other close relative. Without a scientifically proven relative who can provide a DNA sample, it becomes a challenge to compare DNA and determine whether the disputed children are biologically related to the deceased or not.
Through consultations, Cerba Lancet Eswatini has advised that it provides genetic profile testing wherein the member leaves behind his profile against which any person who surfaces after his death and claims to be related to him can be tested. Genetic profile testing is a cornerstone of modern DNA solutions because it provides accurate, reliable, and actionable genetic information. It costs one thousand six hundred and sixteen Emalangeni (E1 616.00) for a member to do the test.
The Fund urges members to do the genetic profile testing during their lifetime so that paternity disputes can be easily resolved when distributing their pension benefits.