Nowadays, many individuals have saved themselves the burden of raising other people’s children. This has been achieved through DNA Testing for Paternity. In most states, the government would require DNA information about a child before releasing public funds to raise them. This makes DNA tests mandatory for particular groups of people; like in this case, mothers without financial support from their children’s fathers. Paternity tests can be performed on babies immediately after they have been born so as to identify their true biological parentage.
DNA testing for Paternity is a complex process and is done by trained professionals. A child usually inherits half of his/her genetic make-up from each of the parents, and it is the father’s chromosomes that are identified and tested in paternity tests. As you plan to take your child for this test, the following are some of the details you need to know:
The most common way of DNA Paternity Test is through saliva samples.
The child and alleged father’s saliva is taken and transported to the lab so as to extract DNA samples. However, cells from any part of the body can also be utilized. The saliva samples are then tested for similarities.
This test has an accuracy of above 95% and is the most common in DNA testing for Paternity. Saliva DNA tests can be released by the laboratory in less than a week. And they are confidentially handed to the client.
In rare cases, blood samples can also be used to determine a child’s biological father. The blood group is identified and assessed to see if it matches with that of the alleged father. Other blood components such as the plasma cells are extracted and their DNA strands are checked.
If 13 of these strands match with the alleged father then the tests are positive. Nevertheless, blood tests are not as popular as saliva tests in paternal tests.
DNA test- Paternity Testing
Some advantages of paternity tests include bringing peace and stability in the family by offering social and emotional support to the child, determining a child’s medical history and also to finalize adoption issues, particularly if a child is to be adopted from a children’s home.
Best Institution for DNA testing
When choosing the best institution for DNA testing, go for those that are accurate and give results in the shortest time possible. Such institutions should have a proven history of customer satisfaction and few if any legal suits.
This is an indication of their professionalism in the field. There are some institutions that offer home testing DNA tools to parents. But before you purchase this product, make sure you thoroughly understand how to use it. Read the policies and procedures that govern this process so as to avoid making mistakes.
In conclusion, there is also the need to determine if the lab where you take your DNA Paternity Test is regularly inspected by relevant authorities. This would help to ensure that the institution is operating within the required standards of the profession. This is an indication of quality service.
