DNA Profiles and Levirate Marriages

• 04 Dec 2024

Source: TH 

Recently, during DNA profiling for an organ transplant, it was discovered that a father was not the biological parent of his son, revealing a case of levirate marriage. 

• The exposed sensitive family information, raising concerns about genetic privacy and the unintended consequences of DNA analysis. 
• DNA profiling: DNA profiling is a technique to identify individuals based on unique variations in their DNA sequences.  
  • While 99.9% of human DNA is identical, the 0.1% variation, especially in Short Tandem Repeats (STRs), forms the basis of DNA profiling, enabling precise identification. 
• Levirate: Levirate marriage is a custom where the brother of a deceased (or physically incapacitated) man can marry to his brother's widow, ensuring the continuation of the family line. 
  • It has been practiced in India by several tribes, including the Santhal and Munda.  
  • During Vedic times, niyoga, the practice of a younger brother or kinsman marrying the widow of an elder brother, was practiced but later disallowed during the Gupta and earlier periods.  
• Sororate is the custom of a man marrying his wife's sister if his wife dies. 

Read More: DNA Profiling in the Justice System