| Unless you've been living in a cave for the | | | | been instances where labs have received DNA |
| last ten years, you're probably aware of the | | | | samples from clients and analyzed them, only |
| growing role of DNA testing in everyday life. | | | | to demand additional payment before providing |
| From forensics to relationships to ancestry, | | | | the results. |
| DNA testing is changing the way we validate | | | | |
| truth. One of the fastest growing areas of | | | | Make sure you're getting what you need. |
| DNA testing is in the realm of DNA paternity | | | | Choose the right test for your situation. And |
| testing. There now exist online an abundance | | | | find out the company's response time. Can |
| of companies willing to provide | | | | they meet your deadlines if you have any? |
| state-of-the-art DNA paternity testing | | | | Most labs can provide results in three to |
| services. Most of these companies send an | | | | nine days, depending on the test. Expedited |
| at-home DNA paternity test kit directly to | | | | service is often available for an extra fee. |
| you, so that you can collect the necessary | | | | |
| DNA samples in the privacy of your own home. | | | | Find out about their privacy policies. Do |
| | | | they guarantee complete confidentiality? Also |
| Because there are so many DNA laboratories | | | | read about their staff. Companies that |
| vying for your business, you really need to | | | | provide DNA paternity testing or other DNA |
| do some personal investigation to determine | | | | tests should employ staff with doctoral level |
| which company is right for you and your | | | | degrees in appropriate disciplines like |
| situation. Since there is not yet any overall | | | | molecular biology and medical genetics. |
| regulation of online DNA paternity test | | | | |
| providers, it's the buyer's (that's you) | | | | Do they own their own laboratory or are they |
| responsibility to weed out the real labs from | | | | outsourcing the analysis to another company? |
| the fly-by-night operations. Here are some | | | | If there are other resellers and brokers in |
| things to consider: | | | | the chain, it may cost you more. Brokers |
| | | | receive your samples and then turn around and |
| The testing service should be accredited by | | | | forward them to another lab for testing. If |
| the American Association of Blood Banks and | | | | the price isn't marked up in this process, |
| should be ISO 17025 certified. The American | | | | then you can probably expect the quality to |
| Association of Blood Banks is an | | | | be lowered. |
| international formed "to advance the practice | | | | |
| and standards of transfusion medicine and | | | | If you're ordering a DNA paternity test, or |
| cellular and related biological therapies." | | | | some other type of DNA test, it's obviously |
| ISO stands for International Standards | | | | important to you. The results and your |
| Organization. The ISO has set quality | | | | actions based on those results will likely |
| standards for DNA testing laboratories. These | | | | have far-reaching and long-lasting |
| organizations perform audits and inspections | | | | consequences, especially in the case of a DNA |
| of accredited companies to ensure that they | | | | paternity test. So it's really very important |
| maintain high standards. Laboratories holding | | | | to practice due diligence--that is, do your |
| both accreditations are demonstrating a | | | | homework. Investigate the companies you're |
| commitment to quality and accuracy. | | | | considering. If their websites don't |
| | | | adequately answer your questions, then call |
| Beware of hidden costs. Make sure the fee you | | | | them on the telephone and speak to a |
| pay is all-inclusive. It should include the | | | | representative. Don't even consider companies |
| sample collection kit for a home DNA test, | | | | you can't contact directly. |
| analysis by the lab, and results. There have | | | | |