Stigma, health, DNA, and adoptee rights: a discussion with Gabrielle Glaser about the changing landscape in America

On today's episode, Glaser talks with DNA Clarity and Support host Brianne Kirkpatrick about the history of coerced adoption in the United States and the influence of culture and stigma on women who in other circumstances might have chosen to parent rather than surrender their to the adoption system.

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DNA Discovery, NPE, Misattributed Parentage, Non-Paternity Brianne K. Williams DNA Discovery, NPE, Misattributed Parentage, Non-Paternity Brianne K. Williams

“I truly believe things happen the way they’re supposed to happen” - An interview with author K.S. Hopkins

K.S. “Katie” Hopkins never guessed that a discovery about her sister's unexpected paternity would be just the start of a number of surprises in the family. What began as crumbs of information left in family documents led to DNA testing which confirmed a hidden family history.

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DNA Discovery, Adoptees, ROH Brianne K. Williams DNA Discovery, Adoptees, ROH Brianne K. Williams

“I have uncovered skeletons in every family tree I have worked on.”

John’s story starts with a personal medical crisis leading to a decision to search for information about his biological parentage. It ends with him embracing the truth of his biological origins, a situation that many others in the same shoes have struggled to accept because of society’s stigma around conceptions between parents who are related to each other.

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NPE, Genetic Testing, Donor Conception, Adoption, Family Secrets Brianne K. Williams NPE, Genetic Testing, Donor Conception, Adoption, Family Secrets Brianne K. Williams

“The Lost Family” Gets to the Core Issues at Hand With DNA Testing and Family Secrets

The first book of its genre to cover the pressing topic of DNA tests and the end of family secrets, Copeland’s The Lost Family provides an overview of the current DNA test landscape and a short history of how it came to be this way.

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Adoption, Family Search, DNA Test Brianne K. Williams Adoption, Family Search, DNA Test Brianne K. Williams

Getting Started on a Search for Birth Family if You’re Adopted

Have you heard the “Searching for Relatives with DNA” podcast episode? Catch this interview by Simon Benn, available for listening now. Simon shares the backstory to his decision to search and the moment he knew it was time. Our discussion is geared towards supporting people early in the search process but will help anyone along the way, whether the searching person or the family who has been sought.

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NPE, Family Secrets, Adoption, Donor Conception, Genetic Testing Brianne K. Williams NPE, Family Secrets, Adoption, Donor Conception, Genetic Testing Brianne K. Williams

“The Lost Family” Gets to the Core Issues at Hand With DNA Testing and Family Secrets

The first book of its genre to cover the pressing topic of DNA tests and the end of family secrets, Copeland’s The Lost Family provides an overview of the current DNA test landscape and a short history of how it came to be this way.

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“Dear Brianne, I’m Adopted...Where Do I Even Start?”

I have people reach out through my website who are adopted or donor conceived and are at the very start of a search, asking where do I even start? It can be overwhelming trying to learn all of the ins and outs of searching whether using access to records or DNA testing.

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DNA Testing: Ten Tips for Adoptive Parents

I’ve compiled ten tips for adoptive parents based on common questions and issues. The focus is on parents of children under the age of 18, but these points can apply to other families as well, including those who utilized egg, sperm, or embryo donation in building their family.

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