President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has signed into law a controversial measure requiring mandatory DNA testing for all children at birth to verify biological parentage.
Bukele defended the law, stating it is “not against women, but against lies,” aimed at preventing men from unknowingly raising children who are not biologically theirs. The Genetic Verification System Law mandates that all tests be conducted in certified laboratories, with the state covering costs for low-income families.
The law has sparked widespread debate. Supporters praise it as a step toward family transparency and protecting paternal rights, while critics warn it represents state overreach and raises ethical and privacy concerns.
El Salvador is now the first country in Latin America to implement a nationwide, mandatory genetic verification system for civil registration.
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