Home DNA Paternity Test Kits Featured on Primetime TV

Blood Brothers,  a recent episode on Law and Order Special Victims Unit, featured a home DNA paternity test kit.  In this story, a 13-year-old boy finds answers by purchasing a paternity kit from the drug store and sending it in with his alleged father’s toothbrush.  It turns out his suspicions were correct and his mother had had an affair with a prominent government figure.  The boy tells his biological father the result, hoping for love and acceptance. Let’s pause the story here.

Let’s look at the problematic details that were dramatized to make such great TV.

1. Our test kit contains three packs of cheek swabs to collect samples: one for mother, one for child and one for alleged father. No toothbrushes or anything other than these swabs are involved when you purchase a home kit. True, our laboratory is capable of extracting DNA from toothbrushes, strands of hair and other interesting items, but a simple cheek swab is all we need to identify paternity. Plus, extracting DNA from anything other than cheek swabs costs quadruples testing costs for you.
2. We require an adult to provide consent if a child is tested.

Back to the story:  Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a happy ending. The father doesn’t embrace the boy and emotions spin out of control, resulting in a tragic ending for one of the characters. We give kudos to SVU for raising awareness about home paternity testing and showcasing the gamut of emotions that surround paternity. But keep in mind that the reality of testing differs greatly from what you see on the silver screen.

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If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact our  Client Support Center at 888-404-4363, Mon-Fri  from 9 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help.