The Case for Mandatory Paternity Testing at Birth – Why Truth Matters

By Michael Thompson, Founder of Paternity Fraud UK

At Paternity Fraud UK, we support men and families who’ve been devastated by one of the most overlooked injustices in the family law system: paternity fraud. Time and again, we hear heartbreaking stories from men who have unknowingly raised children who are not biologically theirs, only to discover the truth years later—often after financial and emotional ruin.

It’s time to start a serious national conversation about mandatory paternity testing at birth.

Naturally, this idea is met with objections. Some are well-meaning, others are rooted in outdated thinking. So let’s address them—head-on—and lay out why mandatory DNA testing is a policy grounded in truth, fairness, and child welfare.

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“It violates a woman’s right to privacy.”

Let’s be clear: paternity testing involves a simple cheek swab from the child and the alleged father. The mother’s DNA isn’t required. There’s no intrusion into her body, no violation of her autonomy. What it does protect is the right of the child to know their biological origins, and the right of a man to know whether he is truly the father.

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“It implies distrust of women.”

This isn’t about distrust—it’s about due diligence. In every other area of life, we demand proof. Proof of identity. Proof of ownership. Proof in court. Yet somehow, when it comes to the most consequential legal and emotional relationship of all—fatherhood—we rely on blind trust? Truth is not an insult. It is a safeguard.

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“It’s emotionally damaging for families.”

What’s truly damaging is the trauma of discovering, years later, that your life was built on a lie. Children deserve to grow up knowing the truth about their parentage. So do the men asked to dedicate their lives, love, and resources to raising them. The temporary discomfort of early truth is a small price to pay to avoid long-term betrayal.

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“False paternity is rare.”

False. Numerous studies place non-paternity rates between 2% and 10%. Even at the low end, that’s thousands of cases in the UK every year. If it were any other kind of fraud, would we ignore it? Every innocent man misled, every child denied the truth about their parentage, is one case too many.

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“It might discourage men from supporting children.”

Quite the opposite. Men are far more likely to step up and support children when they have confidence that the system is fair and transparent. Mandatory testing would actually empower good men by ensuring they are only held accountable when they are genuinely the biological father.

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“It’s too expensive.”

Paternity tests today are affordable and non-invasive. The cost is minimal compared to the massive long-term financial consequences of misattributed paternity—from child maintenance obligations to legal fees and emotional support services. Preventing paternity fraud is not just morally right—it’s fiscally responsible.

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“Men can just ask for a test later.”

By the time doubts arise, it’s often too late. Bonds have formed. Legal presumptions have taken hold. Challenging paternity becomes a painful, uphill legal battle. Mandatory testing at birth prevents these tragedies before they begin—protecting everyone involved from years of trauma and uncertainty.

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Mandatory paternity testing isn’t an attack on mothers—it’s a protection for fathers, children, and truth itself.

I’m calling for a national conversation on this issue. Let’s put the emotional arguments aside and focus on what’s just, rational, and humane.

If you believe in fairness and the right of every child to know who their father truly is, then join me. This isn’t just about science—it’s about justice.

Help and support for anyone affected by Paternity Fraud is available at www.paternityfrauduk.org or email paternityfrauduk@gmail.com

Michael Thompson

Founder, Paternity Fraud UK