Tribal war as Indian council wants DNA testing to find out if potential members are entitled to casino profits



An Indian tribe will this month vote on whether DNA testing should be used to determine who is entitled to profits from a casino in Sierra Nevada.



The Chukchansi tribe has been inundated with membership claims in recent years - leaders suspect this is because members receive a share of the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino's profits.



So they want all new applicants to undergo a paternity test to prove they are related to who they say they are.

The Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino: Chukchansi tribe leaders have been inundated with membership claims in recent years and now want to carry out DNA tests to confirm eligibility

The controversial move could be catastrophic for many potential children and teenagers who have been brought up within the tribe.



Many also fear gene testing will in some cases have surprising results that will tear families apart .

But the Chukchansi tribal council is convinced it is the only way to separate freeloaders from those entitled to casino profits.



'Since we started a casino a few years ago, all of a sudden we had Chukchansis coming out of the woodwork,' Reggie Lewis, chairman of the Chukchansi tribe told New Scientist.



'We thought DNA would be a way to make sure that we only get people who are qualified to be in the tribe in the tribe.'

Gamble? Chukchansi tribal council is convinced gene testing is the only way to separate freeloaders from those entitled to casino profits

Some Chukchansis are concerned that basing membership on genetics could open the doors to other races.



However, DNA testing has already been used by some of the 565 tribes that represent about 1.9million people in the U.S.



Sheila Corbine, Attorney General for the Ho-Chunk tribe in Wisconsin Dells, told New Scientist: 'DNA testing has helped to settle membership disputes and is a very scientific and clear-cut way to do so.'

Talking point : The Chukchansi aren't the only tribe debating DNA testing of their members - several others are across America

The Chukchansi tribal council want to press ahead with the plan, despite the need to amend their constitution should a positive vote take place.



They suspended granting new membership since 2003 after their population grew from 30 in the early 1980s to more than 1,000.



All potential members, including children, would be required to undergo a test, which costs between $200 and $400.

