Hatrack River Forum: More good news in the news

This is topic More good news in the news in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050214/ap_on_re_as/tsunami_baby81&cid=2355&ncid=2355

quote:
DNA test results confirm that a baby boy rescued from tsunami debris in Sri Lanka and dubbed "Baby 81" belongs to the couple who launched a wrenching court battle for his custody, a court announced Monday.
The finding ended weeks of uncertainty and drama surrounding the infant, who became a symbol of families torn apart by the Dec. 26 tsunami, and set the stage for a reunion Wednesday with his parents Jenita and Murugupillai Jeyarajah.

This story has broken my heart since I first heard it. I cannot imagine the agony of losing a baby, then the joy of finding him/her, then being told I could not have her back! It is like the worst nightmare. Hooray for DNA testing!

Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :

They weren't giving the baby back because they didn't know which of the dozen or so families claiming him he actually belonged to. [Razz]

Elizabeth, I am not implying by any stretch that you aren't aware of the circumstances - I just want to explain a bit for others who read this thread so they understand what's been going on.

Sri Lanka, and no doubt other places affected by the tsunami, has had problems with children being stolen and sold into slavery and prostitution, or stolen to be raised by people who are not related who lost their own children in the tsunami. Yes, I can understand the parents were heartbroken to have to go through this, but it was also necessary. I'm glad for the parents and child that they are reunited.

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

yay! Yes -- this is so great to have this settled and the baby back with the parents!

DNA certainly makes it easier to claim ownership than it was back in the days of King Solomon! [Big Grin]

I love it when science is used for such good things.

Farmgirl

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

More [Smile]

Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :

Farmgirl I thought of that story too. Actually the weed-out logic was nearly the same. The real parents were the only ones who were willing to undergo the DNA test.

AJ