| Top 10 DNA Paternity Testing Myths... | | | | swab is similar to a cotton swab, but is made |
| | | | of a material called Dacron, which creates a |
| 10. "A $99 test is the right choice for me." | | | | consistent surface for the cheek cells to |
| | | | adhere to. As mentioned above, this |
| 9. "I can't stand the sight of blood or | | | | collection process is painless. |
| needles, so I could never participate in a | | | | |
| paternity test!" | | | | 8. "I have to wait until the baby is born to |
| | | | have a paternity test done." |
| 8. "I have to wait until the baby is born to | | | | |
| have a paternity test done." | | | | Prenatal paternity testing can be done as |
| | | | early as the 10th week of the pregnancy until |
| 7. "If I get a test, people will find out | | | | as late as the 24th week of the pregnancy. A |
| about it." | | | | chorionic villi sampling (CVS), in which |
| | | | cells are collected from the placenta, or an |
| 6. "Paternity testing divides families." | | | | amniocentesis can be performed to collect |
| | | | loose fetal cells to be used in a DNA |
| 5. "Paternity testing takes too long. I need | | | | paternity test. There are slight medical |
| results now." | | | | risks for these invasive procedures and a |
| | | | medical professional must perform them. Some |
| 4. "My ex-boyfriend is gone. Without him, we | | | | companies claim to be able to perform |
| will never know who the father of my child | | | | non-invasive testing of the mother's blood to |
| is!" | | | | determine paternity. However, these tests are |
| | | | not scientifically validated and are not |
| 3. "I cannot do a paternity test because the | | | | endorsed by AABB-accredited laboratories. |
| potential father of my child lives hundreds | | | | |
| of miles away from me." | | | | 7. "If I get a test, people will find out |
| | | | about it." |
| 2. "It doesn't matter where a paternity test | | | | |
| is performed because all labs are created | | | | Each case is unique and should be handled |
| equal." | | | | with the utmost confidentiality. The |
| | | | procedures should be private and discrete. At |
| 1. "Paternity testing is expensive." | | | | a private laboratory like DDC (DNA |
| | | | Diagnostics Center), your results are |
| MYTHS REVEALED... | | | | confidential. However, if you go through a |
| | | | child support agency, your results will be |
| 10. "A $99 test is the right choice for me." | | | | public record. Also, if the case goes to |
| | | | court, a judge may need to see the results. |
| A $99 paternity test can be more expensive to | | | | With a privately conducted test, once you |
| the consumer in the long run. These tests do | | | | receive the results, you decide what to do |
| not hold up in court. They are generally not | | | | with them. |
| reliable because the testing could be done | | | | |
| outside industry protocols and/or performed | | | | 6. "Paternity testing divides families." |
| by inexperienced staff, which could lead to | | | | |
| results that are interpreted incorrectly | | | | Paternity testing has many benefits. It is |
| leading to false results. If you are | | | | used in adoption, immigration, genealogy and |
| inquiring about a paternity test for any | | | | other family-building cases. Testing benefits |
| legal matter, further testing would have to | | | | the child in cases where paternity must be |
| be done, which would require more fees. | | | | verified for inheritance or insurance |
| Wouldn't it be better to pay only once for | | | | purposes and in cases that involve child |
| something so important? | | | | support. It's true that you do need to |
| | | | prepare for the results; the important thing, |
| 9. "I can't stand the sight of blood or | | | | however, is to be able to move forward once |
| needles, so I could never participate in a | | | | you know the truth. |
| paternity test!" | | | | |
| | | | Please continue to Top 10 Myths About DNA |
| While a blood sample can be used, most labs | | | | Paternity Testing for more information on the |
| use a painless buccal swab to collect sample | | | | Top 5 Myths. |
| DNA from inside the participant's cheek. The | | | | |