| The popularity of DNA paternity testing continues | | | | physician's fee for drawing the DNA samples. DNA |
| to grow in our society. Some observers have | | | | samples from the parents are collected via a |
| expressed concern about the emotional and | | | | buccal swab rubbed against the inside of the |
| financial impact of DNA paternity test results on | | | | mouth. As with standard DNA paternity testing, |
| young children. Paternity can now be determined | | | | DNA sample collection procedures may vary |
| before a baby is born through the use of prenatal | | | | depending on whether you need court-admissible |
| DNA testing. Prenatal DNA testing is possible | | | | results. Prenatal DNA testing for court proceedings |
| because a child's DNA is formed at conception and | | | | requires proof of identities and chain of custody |
| does not change. Although prenatal DNA testing is | | | | verification by a witness. |
| a little more involved than a standard home DNA | | | | Questions have been raised regarding the ethics |
| paternity test, the process is still fairly | | | | of prenatal DNA testing, given that there are risks |
| straightforward. The accuracy levels of prenatal | | | | to the fetus. But there are several instances in |
| DNA testing are identical to standard DNA | | | | which prenatal DNA testing is preferred. For |
| paternity testing. | | | | example, in cases of artificial insemination, there |
| Prenatal DNA testing requires samples from the | | | | may be a need to verify the sample source. |
| unborn child, the mother, and the alleged father. | | | | Some DNA testing labs are now offering the |
| DNA samples from the unborn child are collected | | | | option of non-invasive prenatal DNA testing. Fetal |
| via amniocentesis or CVS. Amniocentesis is the | | | | DNA can be isolated out of blood samples drawn |
| removal of a small sample of the amniotic fluid | | | | from the mother's arm. This lowers the cost of |
| surrounding the fetus. Amniocentesis can be | | | | prenatal DNA sample collection, and expands the |
| performed during the 14th to 24th week of | | | | number of facilities where samples may be drawn. |
| pregnancy. | | | | And, most importantly, it eliminates risk to the |
| Prenatal DNA testing also requires a separate | | | | unborn child. |