Establishing Fatherhood - DNA Testing
With suspicion comes doubt. If your spouse or girlfriend is pregnant now or if she has already given birth and if she has potentially been with more than one partner, it would be natural to be concerned regarding the fatherhood of the child. With today's science you no longer need to wonder. A DNA Paternity Test can provide you with legally supportable evidence to prove or disprove biological fatherhood.
DNA Questions? Call 1-800-551-7763
Reasons for DNA Paternity Testing
There are many reasons why you may consider having a DNA Paternity Test conducted. Here are some of them:
- peace of mind
- child support
- family medical concerns
- custody
- adoption
- citizenship/immigration
- inheritance/benefits (social security, insurance, etc.)
How does DNA Paternity Testing work?
DNA analysis, which is a major advance in the field of paternity testing, involves the direct examination of the genetic material that a child inherited from its biological parents. DNA is located throughout the human body and in the same identical form. Thus, DNA in blood is the same as that in skin, cheek lining, muscle, bone, teeth and various other tissues. The DNA a person has is fully established at conception and remains totally constant throughout life. During the paternity testing process, the genetic characteristics of the child are first compared to those of its mother. Those characteristics in the child that cannot be found in the mother have been inherited from the biological father. If the tested man (alleged father) does not have the genetic characteristics necessary to be the biological father of the child, he is excluded. If the tested man's DNA does contain those genetic characteristics, then the probability that this man is the true biological father is calculated and reported by the laboratory.
What is DNA?
MedicineNet.com provides this definition: DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid. One of two types of molecules that encode genetic information. (The other is RNA. In humans DNA is the genetic material; RNA is transcribed from it. In some other organisms, RNA is the genetic material and, in reverse fashion, the DNA is transcribed from it.) DNA is a double-stranded molecule held together by weak hydrogen bonds between base pairs of nucleotides. The molecule forms a double helix in which two strands of DNA spiral about one other. The double helix looks something like an immensely long ladder twisted into a helix, or coil. The sides of the "ladder" are formed by a backbone of sugar and phosphate molecules, and the "rungs" consist of nucleotide bases joined weakly in the middle by the hydrogen bonds. There are four nucleotides in DNA. Each nucleotide contains a base: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), or thymine (T). Base pairs form naturally only between A and T and between G and C so the base sequence of each single strand of DNA can be simply deduced from that of its partner strand. The genetic code in DNA is in triplets such as ATG. The base sequence of that triplet in the partner strand is therefore TAC. The first proof that DNA was the hereditary material was provided in 1944 by Oswald Avery, Maclyn McCarty and Colin MacLoed. The double helical structure of DNA was discovered in 1953 by James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick with the invaluable collaboration of the X-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin. Watson and Crick shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Maurice H.F. Wilkins. See also: DNA (figurative); and the Transforming principle.
DNA Molecule present in the cells of all living things, DNA forms genes, the hereditary material of the cell. DNA is a macromolecule present in the cells of all living beings. All the cells of an individual contain the same DNA, creating a specific identity for the individual. When cells divide, DNA produces an identical copy of itself. A gene is a part of an individual’s DNA.
Molecule present in the cells of all living things, DNA forms genes, the hereditary material of the cell. In animals and plants, DNA (DeoxyriboNucleic Acid) is found in the nucleus of the cell. It contains all the information necessary for the specific and smooth functioning of the cell. DNA consists of two strands twisted into a helix (double helix). Each strand is made of a chain of nucleotides , each differing in one of its molecules or ‘ bases .” There are 4 different nucleotide bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). They are the units that form the two DNA strands, holding the strands together by binding to each other (A from one strand always “associates” with T of the other and C always with G). During cell division mutations can occur in the order of DNA bases, sometimes having serious consequences for the new cells. Gene therapy offers hope for correcting them.
Who can order the test and does the mother need to be included?
It is possible to perform DNA paternity testing by comparing DNA profiles from only the child and an alleged father when the mother is unavailable. However, because of the strength of the test, it is generally recommended that the mother be included in the testing whenever possible. If the child is a minor, it is absolutely required that a legal *guardian provide consent for the child to provide a sample and be tested. If the child is at least 18 years old this consent is not required. Everyone's situation is different. *Your testing laboratory can help you determine whether or not you qualify as a guardian.
I qualify as a guardian for a child. Does the mother need to know about the test?
No. DNA test results can be strictly confidential. Typically, results are released only to the adult persons who were tested and, as requested, to their authorized agents (e.g. attorneys). Be sure to verify the specific lab policies regarding confidentiality when you order your DNA test. Genetic Profiles is the DNA Paternity Testing lab recommended by InfidelitySite.com. Genetic Profiles does have a strict confidentiality policy. For additional information on their policies and for all DNA relationship study questions, you can contact them directly at 1-800-551-7763.
Back to top
What does it cost and where do I go to get a DNA test?
Paternity testing from an accredited DNA laboratory typically costs between $400.00 and $2,000.00, depending on the area in which you live and the type of paternity testing you choose. If you order your test from a laboratory that is accredited by the *AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) such as Genetic Profiles, you can feel assured that strict standards are adhered to and that results can be used in court (non-legal 'curiosity only' testing is also available.) The *AABB is the organization responsible for developing the strict national standards that have been established for performing paternity testing. The AABB performs on site laboratory inspections to make sure that acceptable methods, techniques and equipment are being used. InfidelitySite recommends Genetic Profiles for all DNA relationship testing needs. Genetic Profiles is an AABB accredited laboratory and has conducted thousands of paternity tests since opening for business in 1990. For additional information regarding your specific DNA testing needs, contact Genetic Profiles directly toll free at 1-800-551-7763. You may also visit the Genetic Profiles website.
How accurate is DNA based paternity testing?
The DNA Profiling method, such as Genetic Profiles uses, is an extremely accurate genetic testing method. It can absolutely determine if the man is not the biological father and reliably exclude him. DNA Profiling can establish that the alleged father is the child's biological father with a probability of paternity of 99% or higher. Each year many individual clients, child support offices, attorneys, judges and physicians choose Genetic Profiles as their source for information, guidance and testing services in order to determine paternity.
What kinds of samples are needed for DNA testing?
DNA laboratories frequently use a cheek swab collection (buccal swab) since it is easy to obtain, completely non-invasive, painless, and is just as accurate as blood samples. Almost any biological sample could be used since DNA is located everywhere throughout the body in the same exact form.
How old does the child to be for paternity determination?
There is no age limit with DNA Profiling. Children who are just a few days old can be tested using buccal swab sample collection. Newborns are readily tested by collecting blood from the umbilical cord on the day of birth. Under special circumstances, DNA paternity testing can be performed on unborn children during pregnancy by using amniotic fluids or CVS samples.
Everyone's situation is different. It is important to discuss the specific circumstances of your case with an AABB accredited laboratory.
DNA Questions? Call 1-800-551-7763