| The dawn of the DNA test | | | | are still accurate without the DNA |
| Back in the 1700s, the best way to | | | | information of the mother. Most labs will |
| determine paternity was by a good hard look | | | | have results in 10 days and charge about $290 |
| and the child, followed by a good hard look | | | | for a basic paternity verification test. |
| at the father. Enough coincidences and maybe | | | | |
| a relationship could be proposed. A hundred | | | | What else can a DNA test do? |
| years later, eye color was discovered to be a | | | | |
| paternity identifier. This theory has had its | | | | DNA kits can also be used to analyze |
| flaws exposed because of recent DNA advances. | | | | siblingship, establish cousin or grandparent |
| We now know that eye color is determined by | | | | relationships, determine twin zygosity (i.e. |
| at least six alleles, or genetic markers. | | | | whether twins are fraternal or identical), |
| Paternity testing has become a lot easier and | | | | identify ancestral origin, verify Native |
| affordable over the past few years due to | | | | American decent, assure parents they left the |
| advances in DNA science. Although an | | | | hospital with the right baby, and most |
| estimated 200,000 DNA tests are conducted | | | | important, provide legal evidence - be |
| each year by states needing to sort | | | | prepared to pay a bit more for legal tests. |
| child-support and welfare issues, few people | | | | Legal tests can be used to settle adoption |
| are willing to conduct their own at-home | | | | issues, settle child-support disputes, and |
| paternity test. Few people realize the | | | | provide information for immigration files. |
| simplicity and convenience of an at-home | | | | |
| paternity test. | | | | How to choose a DNA laboratory |
| | | | |
| How does a home DNA test work? | | | | - Accreditation is a vital part of choosing a |
| | | | laboratory. Accredited labs have an annual |
| Paternity testing requires a painless sample | | | | audit and inspection, undergo internal and |
| from both the child and possible father. Even | | | | external reviews, and have their equipment |
| without a sample from the mother, DNA | | | | calibrated for accuracy. Look for an ISO and |
| paternity test results are up to 99.9999% | | | | or AABB certification. Accredited labs will |
| accurate-that's one-in-a-million odds your | | | | have a good reputation and near 100% track |
| results are incorrect. Most companies provide | | | | record for court cases. |
| a free home kit for you to provide the | | | | |
| samples and require you to send the kit back | | | | - Look for hidden fees. Some companies will |
| to the laboratory with the accompanying fee. | | | | charge you for the kit and then charge you |
| | | | again for the results. Also, double check |
| Because many companies are aware of the | | | | when you order your kit that you're only |
| discomfort of drawing blood from a child in | | | | buying the results you need. |
| order to get a sample, buccal (mouth) swabs | | | | |
| are being accepted as an alternative. By | | | | - Ask about privacy. Make sure that your |
| gently massaging the inside of the child's | | | | identity and intentions are kept secure.Enjoy |
| mouth, cheek cells are collected. These cells | | | | piece of mind |
| are then sent to the lab for testing. Labs | | | | |
| analyze up to sixteen genetic markers of the | | | | Be confident that the questions you have can |
| child and match them against the markers of | | | | be answered. DNA testing is safe and |
| the alleged father. Because each of us | | | | stress-free. Find a free kit and an |
| receives half our genetic markers from each | | | | information packet and you're on your way to |
| parent, the results of DNA paternity testing | | | | getting the piece of mind that you deserve. |