If you are interested in your past, whether far past or recent past, then DNA testing, or a genetic profile may be of interest to you. There are tests available, some that you can do in your own home, that allow you to tell what surname you may have come from, whether or not you have Native American ancestry, if you’re really the child of the person you have been calling dad, or if you’re really the long lost sibling of the person who showed up on your doorstep. There are at least three types of DNA tests that can help you find out more about yourself. These tests are called 1) Paternity tests 2) Y-Chromosome tests and 3) Mitochondrial DNA Tests.
1) Paternity testsIf you need to know if a child belongs to you because you’re paying child support for a child you don’t think is yours, or you think the child is yours but you’re not sure and just want to know, or if you want to know whether someone is your sibling, or your parent, you’ll be interested in receiving a genetic profile through DNA testing.
These tests aren’t as scary and expensive as they used to be. Extensive blood tests are no longer necessary, and can be done from your home.
For less than two hundred dollars, you can have a paternity test sent to your home. These tests are relatively easy. You can order them online, or over the phone. The paternity test company will send you all you need. To take the test you use one swab on the inside cheek of the alleged parent, and a second on the inside of the child’s cheek. You place the swabs into a package you were sent, and mail them back. Make sure that you carefully read the instructions that were sent with your kit. Most companies will have the results back in a week. You can choose how you want to receive the information, either by phone, email, fax, or snail mail.
If you need to test for two alleged fathers, mothers, or children, the price goes up about seventy-five to one-hundred dollars per additional person. Many testing centers have payment options.
2) Y-Chromosome Test
Another type of genetic profile is the Y-Chromosome test. If you are interested in genealogy, this is the test for you. If you have the same surname as someone else, and you want to know if you came from the same ancestor, this test could be the link. Because this test involves the Y-Chromosome, you have to match male genes with male genes; that is how the Y-Chromosome is inherited.
3) Mitochondrial DNA Tests
If you’re female, obviously the Y-Chromosome Test doesn’t help you much. The mitochondrial DNA test is the genetic profile that will be most helpful to you. Mitochondrial DNA is passed down from the mother to all of her children (male and female). The father does not in any way pass down this DNA. This type of genetic test is helpful if you are wondering whether you have Native American descent.
By Clint Hunter