Every day, children are born to parents who abandon them for adoption for one reason or another. This reason usually plays an important role in determining whether the biological parent(s) want their identity known to the child. Although reason may be fundamental to parents in their choice of yes or no, its value should not override the fact that adopted children have the right to know the identity of their biological parents. Many practical reasons play a role in this choice. argument, one of which is knowledge of their medical history. Researchers Kowal and Schilling reported that 75% of the individuals studied researched their medical history, either 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 invades their body. Genetic disorders can be serious, affecting not only the adoptee but potentially being passed on to their future offspring. The decision to have children may need to be put on hold due to the biological parents' concealed medical history. These issues have not escaped the attention of prominent experts such as "former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona who testified before Congress in support of family history initiatives and the importance of family medical history in the prevention and diagnosis of diseases” (Clough, 2007). For this reason alone, adoptive children should have access to their medical history information through their biological parents. Identity and biological roots are other important issues of concern to adopted children around the world. Kowal...... middle of paper ...... iot guide to adoption [Second edition]. (Adult Adoptees Looking for Their Birth Parents), retrieved October 8, 2009 from http://life.familyeducation.com/adoption/adoptive-parents/45809.html?for_printing=1&detBarton, F. (January 11, 2008). Shock for married couples who discover they are twins separated at birth. Main Online, accessed October 30, 2009 at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-507588/Shock-married-couple-discovered-twins.Clemetson, L. (1999). Haunted by a painful story. Newsweek, 133(8), 46. Retrieved October 8, 2009, from EbscoHostCloud, J. (February 22, 1999). Looking for mom. Time, 153(7), 64. Retrieved September 25, 2009, from EbscoHostClough, S. (August 29, 2008). Oklahoma adoptees' fight for health records challenged by parents' privacy rights. Journal Record Legislative Report, retrieved October 10, 2009 from EbscoHost