By Kayode Olabanji

Stakeholders and concerned parents have called on the Federal Government to reduce the cost of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) tests, making them more affordable for families.

They argue that increased accessibility to DNA tests will help address the rising cases of paternity fraud and foster trust within families.

According to them, the high cost of DNA tests has made it difficult for many individuals to verify paternity, leading to legal and social complications.

The stakeholders stated this during an interview with The Hope.

They noted that some parents believe subsidising DNA tests would serve as a preventive measure, reducing instances of wrongful parental responsibility and promoting a more accountable society.

They urged the government to partner with healthcare providers to regulate prices and ensure that DNA tests become accessible to the average citizen.

Mr. Isaac Ajewole, a civil servant, emphasised the financial burden of DNA testing:

“As a civil servant, where do you expect me to get such a huge amount of money to conduct a paternity test? If a dispute arises, I can only protest, but without evidence, nothing will happen. The only proof I need is a DNA test, which I cannot afford.

“If DNA tests were affordable, even women would be more cautious. They would think twice before engaging in extramarital affairs. The government should help reduce the cost so that a DNA test can be conducted immediately after a child is born. It should become a standard procedure, not something done only when there is suspicion,” Ajewole explained.

Similarly, Mr. Kayode Adetila, a businessman, stressed the need for affordable DNA tests, citing trust in relationships:

“Many of us men maintain our relationships based on trust. Otherwise, many homes would have fallen apart by now. I leave home early in the morning and return late at night, trusting that my wife is also at her shop. But how can I be certain? Should I follow her around the streets? No.

“If a child’s birth automatically required a DNA test, there would be more trust in marriages. Women would also be more cautious about engaging in extramarital affairs. If the government can make DNA tests affordable, it would be a welcome development,” Adetila said.

Sharing a generational perspective, a septuagenarian, Mrs. Idowu Akinwale, noted that paternity issues were less common in the past due to traditional values.

“In my younger days, cases of illegitimacy were rare because there were traditional ways of handling such matters. But today’s generation is different. Many young people seem to lack moral discipline.

“Imagine a pregnant woman still having the audacity to sleep with another man, engaging in affairs outside her home. What do we expect?

“I appeal to the government to reduce the cost of DNA tests so that every family can afford them. This will instill a sense of responsibility and fear in young people, discouraging them from reckless behavior,” Akinwale said.