Published Friday June 19th, 2009 at 1:32am
Kinsearch Registryis using a database of DNA profiles to help international adoptees find their biological relatives worldwide. Formed by the Center for Information and Research on Adoption, Inc.,anonprofit 501c(3) organization dedicated to providing information andsponsoring research about adoption related topics and fostering anunderstanding of the adoption experience, the registry helps adopteesfind full or half biological siblings. Biological parents may also belocated, if they are registered in the databank.
Orchid Biosciences, Inc.,a NASDAQ listed company that runs the largest DNA lab in the UnitedStates, maintains the DNA databank for Kinsearch Registry. The registrycurrently only includes one country of origin: China, though they hopeto add Russia, Korea and Guatemala in the future.
To participate, interested adoptess or families of adoptees (if the adoptee is a minor) should submit theapplication form, along with a non-refundable $250 fee per child. (Please contactthe Registry, if you require financial assistance to participate.Please note that Kinsearch has reduced it's normal fee of $400 toencourage participation.) Registration documents and a non-invasive DNAsample collection kit will be returned to the participant at that time.When the completed kit is returned to the registry, the sample will beencoded and identified only by number. The sample will then be sent tothe DNA lab for testing, comparison and entry into the databank.Participants will be notified when their samples have been successfullytested and entered in the databank and will be sent a DNA identityprofile card that identifies the participant’s DNA profile, including aDNA sample for future reference.
Though the organizers of theregistry warn that it could take years before a match may be found forparticipants, if ever, the minute chance this registry offers atfinding a biological link for international adoptees may be worth thetry. Unlike domestic adoptions,many international adoptions take place without any family history. Asmany of these children are abandoned by their biological parents, thereremains very few ways to ever find biological family members, such asother siblings who may have also been adopted in the United States orother countries.