For many years working in the field of DNA testing, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, Director of the Hanoi Center for DNA Analysis and Genetic Technology, has encountered many ironic situations.
A long-ago memory that Ms. Nga still remembers forever is the story of a woman named Linh (the character’s name has been changed). The daughter took a DNA test to prove her father’s “betrayal”, but when she learned the truth, everyone cried.
Here, Ms. Linh shares that she was adopted when she was born. But before he died, Linh’s adoptive father confessed to the whole family that Linh was his biological child.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, Director of Hanoi Center for DNA Analysis and Genetic Technology. Photo: NVCC
Through what her father told her, Linh learned that her biological mother’s name was Phuong (character’s name has been changed) – a female nurse at the military medical station, and her father was injured so he was taken to the treatment station. Nurse Phuong takes care of everyone very thoughtfully, so everyone loves her.
One time, the enemy dropped a bomb on the military medical station. Because she used her body to protect Linh’s father, nurse Phuong was injured. Although she was able to keep her life, she later had to have one of her legs amputated. From now on, Linh’s father always felt indebted to nurse Phuong, so he asked for her address. He said he would return to find her when the war ended.
Then that day came. When he saw the teammate who had saved him having to carry wooden crutches to meet him, his heart ached. They met again with indescribable joy after many days. He also felt sorry for nurse Phuong’s family situation when he saw that she only had an elderly mother left, mother and child depended on each other to survive.
Behind DNA tests to determine blood relationships, there are many sad stories. However, there are also many touching and ironic stories. Illustration photo: AF
That night, Linh’s father couldn’t sleep. He sat down to light a cigarette and smoke. At that moment, nurse Phuong came and sat next to him. The two of them sat and reviewed their memories on the battlefield, about their teammates, about everything in the world, in life… When talking about the future, nurse Phuong was silent.
After a while, she shared with Linh’s father that she was used to her current life and could not build a family. She believes that no one wants to marry a disabled person like her, but she longs to be a mother. She hopes Linh’s father can help her fulfill this wish.
Surprised by the proposal of his former teammate, and then moved to pity the person who saved him, Linh’s father betrayed his wife back home. The next day, he repaired his old teammate’s house to return to the North. However, even after returning home, he still couldn’t stop worrying about his old teammate.
A year later, Linh’s father lied about visiting friends to go to the South to meet nurse Phuong. However, when he arrived at nurse Phuong’s house, he learned that because of a difficult birth that year, the doctor could only save the child but not the mother. After that, he also asked Linh’s grandmother for permission to take her home and take care of her. Worried about her granddaughter’s future, her grandmother agreed.
Linh was brought to the North in the name of being the child of an old comrade of his father’s who passed away. Linh’s adoptive mother did not have any doubts and trusted her husband, so she happily adopted her.
It wasn’t until Linh’s father fell ill that he revealed the truth that she was his biological child, not his adopted child. Hearing the story told by the husband and father, the whole family was moved.
When Linh’s adoptive mother learned the truth, she did not blame her husband. She just said: “The story about such a precious and touching girl, why are you telling me and me now… I’m not angry, but I feel sorry for you.” She appreciates that that person had to sacrifice her health and future for her husband.
Not long after Linh’s father passed away. After taking care of her father’s funeral, she asked her adoptive mother to have a DNA test with her two children to determine their blood relationship. When she knew her child’s intentions, her adoptive mother advised her that it was not necessary to do so. However, she still wanted to do the test because she wanted to rely on science to replace her father’s words and confirm to everyone that she was his biological child.
DNA test results showed that Linh is a sister with the same father as her siblings. Even though the test results proved that her father had “betrayed” her adoptive mother, everyone in the family was very happy.
Ms. Nga added that testing is scientific but always wants to aim for the value of happiness, good and humane things in life. From there, it helps many people recognize their biological relatives.
DNA is a molecule that carries genetic information used for the growth and development of organisms. During reproduction, DNA molecules are duplicated and passed on to the next generation. People can be tested through oral mucosal cell samples, blood, root hair, fingernails, toenails, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid, and toothbrush. Currently, the accuracy of DNA testing is up to 99.99999% to confirm blood relationships.
