Comments on: The Leaked DNA Memo http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/ A collaborative blog advocating ethics in adoption Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:37:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Baby Love Child » Vietnam- the Sept. 1 deadline and the demand for a new intercountry agreement amidst a landscape of fraud http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-2080 Baby Love Child » Vietnam- the Sept. 1 deadline and the demand for a new intercountry agreement amidst a landscape of fraud Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:25:11 +0000 http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-2080 [...] is not the only linguistic stumbling block, Look here for a definition of how “Abandonment” is defined in relation to the USCIS Guidebook for [...] [...] is not the only linguistic stumbling block, Look here for a definition of how “Abandonment” is defined in relation to the USCIS Guidebook for [...]

]]> By: Baby Love Child » Baby Selling in Vietnam reaches the point where even the US Embassy balks http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1695 Baby Love Child » Baby Selling in Vietnam reaches the point where even the US Embassy balks Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:22:09 +0000 http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1695 [...] The Leaked DNA memo [...] [...] The Leaked DNA memo [...]

]]> By: Nicki http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1565 Nicki Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:39:17 +0000 http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1565 I, too, am surprised that we have not heard anything more official yet. I hope it is forthcoming. It has been a VERY long and emotional week. I, too, am surprised that we have not heard anything more official yet. I hope it is forthcoming. It has been a VERY long and emotional week.

]]> By: Amy http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1564 Amy Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:32:33 +0000 http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1564 Any word on when USCIS or the US Embassy is going to post something official? I'm really surprised that we haven't heard anything yet. And with it now the weekend in Vietnam, I'm starting to wonder if we will hear anything until next week? Any word on when USCIS or the US Embassy is going to post something official? I’m really surprised that we haven’t heard anything yet. And with it now the weekend in Vietnam, I’m starting to wonder if we will hear anything until next week?

]]> By: bella http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1562 bella Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:42:04 +0000 http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1562 That is exactly what ours said, as well as 2 other agencies I know of. Our director and coordinators are waiting to update us when CIS has clarified this process. That is exactly what ours said, as well as 2 other agencies I know of. Our director and coordinators are waiting to update us when CIS has clarified this process.

]]> By: monica Dailey http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1561 monica Dailey Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:44:29 +0000 http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1561 Has anyone talked to their agency about this? I spoke with mine and they said if the child was left and parents cannot be found then the DNA testing does not apply and the process would move forward without.. What should I think about this response? Thank you for any help you can give... Monica Has anyone talked to their agency about this? I spoke with mine and they said if the child was left and parents cannot be found then the DNA testing does not apply and the process would move forward without..

What should I think about this response?
Thank you for any help you can give…
Monica

]]> By: bella http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1560 bella Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:30:28 +0000 http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1560 Jessica, you go to the congressperson/senator of your homestate. You are still a constituent. Jessica,
you go to the congressperson/senator of your homestate. You are still a constituent.

]]> By: Jessica http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1559 Jessica Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:26:10 +0000 http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1559 Out of curiosity, to whom shuld we turn if we are US citizens living abroad (non-military)? Clearly we don't have a specific congressman to speak of... who then will speak for our family? Out of curiosity, to whom shuld we turn if we are US citizens living abroad (non-military)? Clearly we don’t have a specific congressman to speak of… who then will speak for our family?

]]> By: Alicia http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1550 Alicia Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:47:55 +0000 http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1550 Actually, if you carefully read the CIS definition of abandonment, you'll realize that it means unconditional relinquishment to a third party that is authorized under the child welfare laws of the foreign country to act as custodians in anticipation of the child's adoption. So in other words, the third party cannot be any Joe Bloe off the street; it must be a licensed third party that is recognized as such by the country. This could include an adoption agency. The statement qualifies that the "abandonment" cannot be temporary (i.e. birth parents hope to retrieve the child at some later date). It must be permanent and unconditional. The memo that the CIS leaked indicated that the DNA testing policy applies to abandoned children in which a birth parent has been identified. To the rest of the adoption community, this is the traditional definition of a relinquished child. Actually, if you carefully read the CIS definition of abandonment, you’ll realize that it means unconditional relinquishment to a third party that is authorized under the child welfare laws of the foreign country to act as custodians in anticipation of the child’s adoption. So in other words, the third party cannot be any Joe Bloe off the street; it must be a licensed third party that is recognized as such by the country. This could include an adoption agency. The statement qualifies that the “abandonment” cannot be temporary (i.e. birth parents hope to retrieve the child at some later date). It must be permanent and unconditional. The memo that the CIS leaked indicated that the DNA testing policy applies to abandoned children in which a birth parent has been identified. To the rest of the adoption community, this is the traditional definition of a relinquished child.

]]> By: Alicia http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1549 Alicia Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:38:43 +0000 http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2008/04/02/the-leaked-dna-memo/#comment-1549 The memo (which apparently has already been removed from the BOCH website) indicated that abandoned children in which a birth parent has been identified are the ones who are subject to the DNA testing, at the PAPs' expense. This would seem to preclude anonymously abandoned children from the testing. Moreover, it makes absolutely no sense to perform expensive DNA testing on a child for whom no birth parents have been identified. What is the point? What does this accomplish? IMO, it is highly irresponsible of the CIS to release or leak a memo of this nature without first thinking through all the ramifications and ensuring that all scenarios have clearly been identified, described, and clarified. I think this latest episode highlights one of the major problems of the Orphans First program: the failure of the CIS to communicate clearly, promptly, and responsibly. The memo (which apparently has already been removed from the BOCH website) indicated that abandoned children in which a birth parent has been identified are the ones who are subject to the DNA testing, at the PAPs’ expense. This would seem to preclude anonymously abandoned children from the testing. Moreover, it makes absolutely no sense to perform expensive DNA testing on a child for whom no birth parents have been identified. What is the point? What does this accomplish?

IMO, it is highly irresponsible of the CIS to release or leak a memo of this nature without first thinking through all the ramifications and ensuring that all scenarios have clearly been identified, described, and clarified. I think this latest episode highlights one of the major problems of the Orphans First program: the failure of the CIS to communicate clearly, promptly, and responsibly.

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