A certain talk show may make light of the situation, but finding out who fathered your child is very important, especially to the child. Anyone can ask for a DNA paternity test. The father, mother, or even the older offspring can demand a test. This test provides answers that may help clear up important issues, like family history. If the father’s family has a history of health issues, like past cancers or genetic illnesses, you can be aware of possible problems down the road.
In order to achieve a successful DNA paternity test, you have to know what to test. In a nutshell, you can test just about anything on your body to get a positive read, simply because the DNA cells are identical in every part of the body. DNA can be found in your cheeks, body tissue, bile, blood, and other bodily fluids. Once the lab collects the samples from each party, the testing begins.
So, what exactly is DNA?
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid and without it we’d be nothing. This simple molecule carries everything we are and ever will be genetically. It is the carrier that produces genes and chromosomes. We get half our genetic traits from our mother and the other half from our father. If you watch enough forensic television, you know that DNA is just like a fingerprint. According to one television program, 99% of all DNA is identical, but the other 1% provides the genetic differences.
Once the results are in, the lab will examine the DNA markers in order to determine paternity. If the suspected man is indeed the father, he will share a band with the child. If the man is not the father, no band will appear on the test. If the biological mother is tested, her band should also appear. In order to ensure accuracy, make sure the results show a 99% inclusion rate and a 100% exclusion rate. These types of results are usually admissible in a court of law.
To get a DNA paternitytest done, you can go to a center, a hospital, or even order a DNA kit online. The kit usually comes with mouth swabs to brush DNA off and onto the swab. Once that is completed, you need to mail the kit back for testing. Some people do not like this method because they don’t trust shipping the kit. They’re afraid the kit will be damaged or tampered with during the shipping process. Kits may cost you at least $200. If you need reassurance, you should find a reputable lab. Thorough and higher inclusion/exclusion rates may cost you even more money. One website asks for over $600! But the lab has a 99% inclusion rate and it will also test the DNA findings a second time just to make sure. The cost of DNA paternity testing is why many people go to talk shows or court shows to settle the uncertainty.
It is best to test the child while he or she is still very young. If an older child isn’t sure who his or her parent is, it could cause problems at home. Some parents use the umbilical cord in order to take the test at birth. Getting the test done early in a child’s life will clear the air and allow the child to be certain who his or her father really is.
By Michelle Presbury