French Parliament Approves Genetic Testing for Immigrants
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The French Parliament approved a law that includes DNA testing for immigrants trying to bring in their families, with at least 40 members of government parties refusing to back the bill.
The National Assembly, or lower house, approved the law by 282 votes to 235 late Tuesday. Government parties have 343 seats in the chamber. The Senate had already passed it.
The most contentious part of the law involves genetic testing for immigrants to determine whether they are all from the same family. The measure angered some in and outside the government parties because it breaks with French tradition. In France, the legal father is whoever recognizes the child as his at birth, regardless of any biological link. DNA testing in France has so far only been allowed by a judge’s order.
