DNA PATERNITY TESTING

 

DNA testing – what you ought to know

Establishing paternity is becoming a major industry around the world and paternity testing is the largest user of DNA testing services. More than 200,000 of the paternity tests performed in the US every year use DNA testing exclusively or as a supplement to conventional blood testing. The advantage of DNA testing is that many more variable genes are available.

Not long ago paternity testing was uncertain, expensive and inconvenient. It was hard to find a laboratory to carry out the testing and re-tests were frequent as the blood had to reach the laboratory quickly. A doctor's or a lawyer's involvement might have been required, and, even after the effort and expense, the DNA test results often came back as uncertain. Also, there were no inspection and certification programs for paternity testing laboratories.

DNA testing has now made the process convenient and the results conclusive. DNA testing is still expensive and takes a week or two to complete, but anyone can order a test. In general the DNA test results provide a level of certainty so high that paternity will, for all practical purposes, be proven or disproved.

The DNA test

Throughout the entire world there is a network of laboratories licensed and experienced in the legal sample collections that are necessary in paternity testing. Those to be tested for paternity must show a picture ID, fill out and sign release forms and identification labels, and a photo or thumbprint will be taken.

Only a small volume of blood, a teaspoon or less, will be taken. Even children usually tolerate it quite well. The blood samples from babies also are drawn from the arm because it is less painful and much quicker than a heel or finger stick.

Home DNA paternity tests using cheek swabs

Today ever more collections are performed using a buccal swab, a Q-tip rubbed inside of the cheek. This type of collection has made the "home paternity DNA test" possible. The home paternity test is the ultimate in convenience. However it can have lesser legal standing because it is often impossible to independantly verify the identity of the individuals tested. Another type of home DNA test overcomes these obstacles because the collection is performed at home by a visiting medical professional.

In view of these difficulties, when ordering a home DNA test kit – many laboratories now advertise on the net – be sure to check whether the kit is fully accredited and the results legally notarized or whether it is a non-legal home testing kit. In the latter case, the results should be clearly marked as "identification not verified". In the former the supplier should state how they establish the legality of the DNA test.