President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has enacted a new law mandating DNA testing for all children at birth to verify biological parentage, aiming to ensure clarity of familial relationships from the outset.
According to Bukele, the measure “is not a law against women, but against lies,” emphasizing that the legislation is intended to prevent situations in which men unknowingly raise children who are not biologically theirs.
The Genetic Verification System Law requires that all DNA tests be conducted in certified laboratories, with the state covering the costs for low-income families to ensure accessibility. The law represents a significant expansion of civil registration procedures in the country and is part of broader efforts to reinforce legal clarity around parentage and family rights.
The legislation has sparked widespread debate both nationally and internationally. Supporters argue that it promotes family transparency, strengthens paternal rights, and reduces disputes over parentage, which have historically led to legal and social complications. Critics, however, contend that mandatory genetic testing constitutes an unprecedented level of state intrusion into private family life, raising ethical concerns about consent, privacy, and the potential social consequences for families.
With the passage of this law, El Salvador becomes the first country in Latin America to implement a national, mandatory genetic verification system for civil registration. Legal experts have noted that its implementation could set a precedent for other nations in the region while prompting discussions on the balance between individual privacy and state oversight. Human rights organizations have called for careful monitoring to ensure that the law is applied fairly and does not disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.
The move marks a controversial but historic step in the intersection of technology, law, and family policy in Latin America, positioning El Salvador at the forefront of government-led efforts to formalize biological verification in civil documentation.
