German legislators approved a law to ban secret paternity tests on 24 April. The recent step is part of a new statute on some genetic tests that has taken more than 10 years in the making amid intense debates as some of the ethical issues are much controversial.

Significant features of the law:

• Under the law man who swabs any baby’s saliva, he has to pay fine up to 5,000 euros or 6,500 dollars.
• Saliva would be sent for DNA testing without informing the mother.
• Limits the use of some genetic testing on fetuses to merely medical purposes.
• Genetic tests must only be carried out by any doctor.
• The tests have need of the full consent of all parties involved.
• Parents are prohibited from using any genetic test to identify the sex of the unborn kids.
• Prohibits the use of genetic testing for signs of a predisposition to illnesses that can appear only later in life, like breast cancer or some diseases of the nervous system.

The provision of paternity-tests was one of the most controversial and hot topics with critics charging. It usually denied fathers a conflict-free chance to check that kids are their own issue. However, legislators thought the new law protected the kid’s interests.

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Yesterday a ceremony was held in Pakistani Supreme Court (SC) as newly appointed four judges took oath in their court office. Pak Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry overseen oath to recently appointed four judges of the apex court. Supreme Court Judges along with law officers of provincial and federal were present there. The oath program started with the recitation (as a tradition) from the Holy Quran.

Last Monday Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notice regarding the four new appointments of the judges of the apex court. Pakistan Supreme Court Registrar, Dr. Faqir Hussain announced the appointed judges’ name in the ceremony. The newly appointed four judges are

1. Justice (Retd) Mahmood Akhtar Shahid Siddiqui
2. Justice (Retd) Ghulam Rabbani
3. Justice Syed Zahid Hussain
4. Justice (Retd) Muhammad Sair Ali

A bench of Pakistan’s Supreme Court (SC) headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry rejected the administration’s application for an in-camera trial. The trial is for suspects involved in the young girl’s flogging in Swat. The eight-member bench ruled the facts must be brought before the mass people.

At the time of hearing the suo motu of flogging, the bench directed some officials to make a detailed report of the incident. The directed individuals are

1. The federal interior secretary
2. The NWFP inspector general of police
3. The NWFP chief secretary

On behalf of government Attorney-General Sardar Latif Khosa said the case is a sensitive issue. So, it demanded an in-camera hearing. However, Chief Justice rejected the proposal. On the other hand, the victim of flogging Chand Bibi didn’t appear before the court as it was opposite of Bibi’s traditional values. Her statement was presented before the magistrate through Khosa.

Amid a veto threat looming from Vermont governor Jim Douglas, the house of judiciary committee approved a bill that allows same-sex marriage. That bill was passed recently. 7 Democrats and 1 Republican approved the bill whereas 2 Republicans opposed the bill.

Last week, the Vermont State Senate passed the law by a vote of 26-4. Several senators tired to postpone the bill to hold a nonbinding referendum vote in the future so that the state residents can voice their view on instating marriage equality. However, that proposal failed 19-11.

Republican Douglas said the legislature ought to focus on mending Vermont’s economic problems before marriage equality. On the other hand, Judiciary committee chairperson William Lippert said it was the right time and the right thing to do. Before casting his vote he said “It’s no secret where I stand on this issue.” Lippert voted yes on the bill.

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