Every day children are born to parents who for one reason or another give them up for adoption. This reason usually plays an important role in determining whether the biological parents want their identity to be known by the child. While the reason may be critical to parents in deciding whether to choose yes or no, its value should not take precedence over whether adopted children have the right to know the identity of their biological parents. Many practical reasons play a role in this matter, one of which is knowledge of their medical history. Researchers Kowal and Schilling reported that 75% of individuals studied sought their medical history for themselves or for the sake of their children (Adamec, 2004). For the adoptee, knowing whether cancer, heart disease or genetic disorders played a role in their biological parents' lives could play an important role in saving their own life if the disease spreads through their bodies. Genetic disorders can be serious and not only affect the adoptee, but can be passed on to his or her future offspring. You may have to put your decision to have children on hold because your medical history has been hidden from your biological parents. These issues have not escaped the attention of leading experts such as “Former US Surgeon General Richard Carmona who testified to Congress in support of genealogy initiatives and the importance of family history in the prevention and diagnosis of disease” (Clough, 2007 ). For this reason alone, adopted children should have access to information about their medical history through their biological parents. Identity and biological roots are other important issues that concern adopted children around the world. Kowal......middle of paper......iot's guide to adoption [Second edition]. (Adopted Adults Searching for Their Birth Parents), Retrieved October 8, 2009, from http://life.familyeducation.com/adoption/adoptive-parents/45809.html?for_printing=1&detBarton, F. (2008, January 11) . Shock for spouses who discovered they were twins separated at birth. Main online, retrieved October 30, 2009, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-507588/Shock-married-coppia-discovered-twins.Clemetson, L. (1999). Haunted by a painful story. Newsweek, 133(8), 46. Retrieved October 8, 2009, from EbscoHostCloud, J. (1999, February 22). Track down mom. Time, 153(7), 64. Retrieved September 25, 2009, from EbscoHostClough, S. (2008, August 29). Oklahoma adoptees' fight for medical records is challenged by parents' right to privacy. Legislative Journal Record Report, retrieved October 10, 2009, from EbscoHost