MORRIS COUNTY DAILY REGISTERJanuary 26, 2008
A Case of Equality: Adopted Adults Deserve to Know of Their Past
Many adopted adults have tracked down their birth mother. All human interactions don't always turn out well, but many times such reunions are joyous occasions. A child is delighted to discover his or her history, and an aging mother is able to have a relationship she never imagined she would have.
Legislation has kicked around Trenton for years to make it easier for adopted adults to find out more about themselves. A Senate panel this week endorsed a measure that would allow adopted adults access to their original birth certificates, which list the names of their birth parents. We hope the full Senate and Assembly follows suit.
It's a normal human desire for any person to wonder about his or her family and health history. Even if adoptees do not seek to find their birth parents, this law would allow them the satisfaction of at least knowing who they were.
Opponents say opening up birth records that have been sealed for years violates the privacy of birth parents. We understand that view. In any legislation, there has to be a balancing of rights. We come down on the side of adopted adults seeking to discover their history. As proponents say, this really is an important civil rights issue. This week's progress in this matter is encouraging.
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