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