Legal Definitions - biological parent

A biological parent is an individual who is genetically related to a child, having contributed the sperm or egg that resulted in the child's conception. This genetic link establishes a legal relationship that can carry significant rights and responsibilities, such as those related to child support, custody, and inheritance, regardless of whether they raise the child.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a biological parent:

• Example 1: Sarah gives birth to a baby, and DNA testing confirms that Mark is the father. In this scenario, Sarah is the biological mother and Mark is the biological father.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates the most common understanding of biological parentage, where both individuals contributed genetic material (egg from Sarah, sperm from Mark) to create the child, establishing their genetic and legal relationship as biological parents.

• Example 2: A couple struggling with infertility uses an anonymous sperm donor to conceive a child through in vitro fertilization. The woman carries the pregnancy to term and gives birth.

  Explanation: In this case, the anonymous sperm donor is the biological father because he provided the genetic material (sperm) that led to the child's conception. While the woman who carried the pregnancy is the biological mother, the donor's role highlights that a biological parent is defined by genetic contribution, even if they have no legal or social parenting role.

• Example 3: During a legal dispute over child support, a man denies he is the father of a child. A court orders a paternity test, which conclusively shows a genetic match between the man and the child.

  Explanation: The DNA test results definitively establish the man as the child's biological father. This genetic proof creates a legal obligation for him to provide financial support, illustrating how biological parentage, confirmed by genetic evidence, carries specific legal responsibilities.