| The last decade has witnessed the most | | | | genome that tend to be different among |
| impressive advancements in genetic | | | | people. Imagine there is a region for which |
| technology. The proposal of deciphering the | | | | there are 5 different "types" among humans. |
| complete sequence of the human genome some 16 | | | | You are most likely to have the same type as |
| years ago has unleashed an "arms race" | | | | your father at the same region. However, |
| between public and private ventures with no | | | | since there are only 5 different types in the |
| precedent in life sciences. In an implacable | | | | population, your are also sharing the type |
| battle to publish the first draft of the | | | | with many other people that are not related |
| complete human genome, a multi-national, | | | | to you, so that looking at this single region |
| publicly funded consortium and a large | | | | will not tell for sure who your father is. If |
| biotech company owned by the billionaire | | | | we look at another region, the chances for |
| Craig Venter spend billions in developing new | | | | sharing both of them with unrelated people |
| technologies that allow rapid and accurate | | | | are lower, but it is still possible. As the |
| sequencing of DNA. This brought enormous | | | | number of markers increase, the probability |
| benefits for biological and medical research, | | | | of a random match (sharing the same markers |
| and allowed for better treatments and | | | | with an unrelated person) is lower. The best |
| diagnostic tools. | | | | paternity tests use as much as 16 different |
| | | | markers. Having a match for all 16 markers by |
| Genetic testing is one of the fields that | | | | chance is virtually impossible, so a perfect |
| greatly benefited from these outcomes. As we | | | | match conclusively tells that the two persons |
| know from famous TV series, today is possible | | | | are father and child. Why not using even more |
| to finger out a criminal by analyzing a | | | | markers? Because there is no need to (with 16 |
| single hair or a tiny drop of saliva. A more | | | | markers, the probability of a false result is |
| widespread application of this technology is | | | | nil), and adding more markers to the analysis |
| that of paternity testing. A doubtful father | | | | would only make the test more expensive. Why |
| can easily order a DNA testing kit, take a | | | | not less than 16? Many labs use between 4 and |
| sample of himself and his child and send it | | | | 8 markers to make the test cheaper. By |
| out to a DNA testing facility. In a matter of | | | | choosing one of these you may save a few |
| days, he will receive a report confirming of | | | | dollars, but your doubts will not be |
| ruling out his biological fatherhood on that | | | | completely wiped out. Do you find this |
| child. | | | | acceptable? Surely not. |
| | | | |
| Although establishing paternity is the most | | | | The second most important source of false |
| frequent reason for having a DNA test done, | | | | results of DNA testing is, paradoxically, one |
| there are many other applications. For | | | | of its strengths. DNA tests are based on a |
| example, it is also possible to determine | | | | technique called PCR (for Polymerase Chain |
| other familiar relations such as brother | | | | Reaction). PCR was a revolutionary invention |
| sisterhood, maternity, paternity when the | | | | that warranted its creator a Nobel Prize. One |
| alleged father is not available and so on. | | | | of the most important features of PCR is its |
| People can also have a detailed analysis | | | | sensitivity: it is possible to analyzed |
| about their ethnic and genealogical | | | | minute amounts of DNA (in theory it can be |
| background. These kinds of tests are often | | | | done with a single cell). On one side, one |
| made out of curiosity, but sometimes they can | | | | can analyzed DNA from a single hair, a tiny |
| be very helpful. It is frequent that people | | | | spot of blood or even from the saliva |
| are excluded from certain benefits that are | | | | obtained from a used cigarette, but the high |
| intended for a specific ethnic group, such as | | | | sensitivity has a downside: it is very easy |
| Native Americans because they cannot | | | | that such small samples become contaminated |
| demonstrate their ancestry. DNA testing is an | | | | with DNA from other individuals, such as the |
| effective and conclusive way to prove a | | | | police detective that gathered blood spots at |
| person's ethnic ancestry. | | | | the crime scene, the lab technician who |
| | | | processed the sampled and so on. Truly |
| So far, everything looks fine. You need to | | | | professional DNA labs follow strict |
| have a DNA test done, so you do some research | | | | guidelines and protocols to avoid |
| online. What you will find is an overwhelming | | | | contamination and have University-trained |
| spectrum of DNA labs offering paternity | | | | personnel. In this regard, if you send your |
| tests, and of course, each of them claims | | | | DNA sample to an inexperienced or |
| that they are "the best lab". What to do? | | | | ill-equipped DNA lab, you risk a false result |
| Pick the first you come across? Pick the | | | | since somebody else's DNA may be analyzed |
| cheapest? You don't need to be an expert to | | | | instead of yours due to improper manipulation |
| decide, but knowing the difference among all | | | | or use of cheap or defective lab materials. |
| those labs will allow you to make a wiser | | | | |
| decision. Why is this important? The kinds of | | | | If you are thinking of having a DNA testing |
| questions you seek to answer through a DNA | | | | done, being for establishing paternity, |
| test are not trivial. A man who is not sure | | | | genealogical inquiry, determination of Native |
| if he is the true father of his children | | | | American status or other reasons choose |
| cannot accept a "maybe" as an answer, can he? | | | | carefully. Avoid labs offering very low |
| Well, that is what he'll get if he chooses a | | | | prices. Check thoroughly to have an idea |
| cheap DNA test from an inexperienced lab. | | | | about the price ranges out there. Only labs |
| | | | offering a multi-marker (ideally 16 for the |
| All DNA tests are essentially similar in | | | | standard paternity test) tests should be |
| their bare basics: they are all based on the | | | | trusted. Avoid labs that, judging from their |
| same biological principles and use the same | | | | websites appear to be small or amateur. |
| kind of analytical methods. There are, | | | | Consider that some companies are offering |
| however, some differences you should take | | | | "ready-to-use" DNA testing labs that can be |
| into account. | | | | used by anyone to offer cheap DNA testing. |
| | | | DNA testing should only be performed by |
| One important difference is the number of | | | | qualified personnel and equipment. Check the |
| genetic markers they look at. Genetic markers | | | | author's biography for recommended DNA |
| are simply specific regions in the human | | | | testing services. |