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Choosing the Right DNA Paternity Test Laboratory

 

When you get to the point when a paternity test is necessary, you want to make sure you are choosing the right laboratory. The DNA Testing laboratory becomes your confidant in what could be a very difficult time in your life, and so this decision is crucial.

When you decide that a DNA paternity test is needed, what questions should you ask before choosing the right paternity testing laboratory? Articlesbase.com helps direct you in the right direction.

Here are some important questions you should ask when deciding on which DNA testing laboratory to use:

1. How many markers do you test and report on paternity results?

When performing a DNA test the number of markers is important because it helps with the accuracy of the paternity results. A minimum of 15 markers is the usual standard, and produces probability of a biological relationship to 99.99% or higher. The IDENTIGENE DNA Testing Center does test 15 markers, and also the Amelogenin, which reports the sex of each participant.

2. Is the paternity test laboratory accredited?

If the DNA testing laboratory is AABB accredited, this tells you they follow strict guidelines to ensure the highest quality paternity results. The AABB puts each of its DNA-test laboratories under a stringent audit to verify these standards and guidelines are adhered to. The IDENTIGENE DNA Testing Laboratory is accredited with the AABB and also maintains an ISO 17025 accreditation.

3. What is the total fee for paternity testing?

There are DNA paternity testing companies out there that advertise the lowest possible price for paternity testing, which seems like a great deal. However, after the additional costs for shipping, including the biological Mother in the testing, and even a fee for releasing  results, it may not be such a great deal after all. Verify what the total cost is for the paternity testing and what it includes. Verify Mom can participate in the DNA testing process at no additional cost, which is what IDENTIGENE does. In a small percentage of cases, the biological mother in a paternity test can help make results more conclusive.

4. What is the turnaround time for the paternity testing?

Even with ever-improving advances in DNA Paternity testing sciences and technology, the testing process can still take time. IDENTIGENE offers results in  just two (2) business days once samples are received at the lab. You can also select 1-day and even same-day results for an additional price.

Other Information to consider when Choosing a DNA Testing Laboratory

You may also want to review where the paternity testing laboratory stands with the BBB, and read reviews from other customers. The internet is a great resource to see what people are saying about any particular DNA test laboratory.

DNA Paternity Testing at any Age

News Europe  reported on a paternity test case that involved an alleged father who is 100 years of age, and a child who is 75 years old. Is it ever too late to know the truth? For one family, the answer is no. The science of paternity testing using DNA samples proves to have no age limit.

One daughter’s paternity test

Using a paternity test, the 75 year-old woman decided it was time to know the truth. After 75 years of denial from the man she believed to be her biological father, and with her mother’s help, she decided to complete a DNA test to confirm paternity. The woman, whose name was not released, was raised by her mother and took her surname.

DNA samples were collected for paternity testing from the alleged father in his nursing home and were compared with samples taken from the 75 year- old woman claiming to be his biological child. Paternity results were not released.

The 75-year ordeal continues for paternity results

Once the DNA testing was complete, the alleged father’s lawyers questioned the collection of his DNA samples. The alleged father’s samples for the paternity test were collected by and expert, so they were most likely collected properly; however, the question at this point is if they had legitimate consent from the 100 year-old alleged father.

A judge is to make a decision in late April.

As for the science , no one is too young or too old for a paternity test, and everyone who wants answers deserves to get them.

Using Buccal Swabs vs. Blood Samples for Paternity Testing

DNA testing for paternity results has many benefits, from the peace of mind of knowing for certain that a biological relationship exists to knowing family health history and inheritance eligibility.

The method for collecting DNA samples for paternity DNA testing has many questioning whether blood samples would be more accurate than buccal (cheek) swabs. In  short, the answer is no. Here’s a look at why cheek-swabbing is the preferred method for DNA collection.

Advantages for the client

The use of buccal swabs in paternity kits is non-invasive and a much easier technique for the collection of DNA samples. This means no needles for those of us who would rather not have blood taken with a needle, especially if it’s not absolutely necessary. The buccal swabs also don’t require refrigeration like blood samples do, and they are good for up to six months after the collection has been taken.  DNA testing for paternity results can be an emotionally-difficult procedure,  so using buccal swabs is one way to help make the process a little less stressful.

Advantages for the lab

Why do scientists prefer to use buccal swabs over blood samples? From the lab’s point of view,extracting the DNA for testing is a much simpler process when using buccal swabs as opposed to blood samples. When analyzing DNA for paternity testing, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is used for both buccal swabs or blood, which means the  results are the same for both. Brite Hub states “The tests used for identifying DNA in blood samples are the same as used for identification of DNA in mouth lining scrapings.” The only exception is for those who have been a recipient of bone marrow transplants recently. If you have received a bone marrow transplant, you’ll want to speak with the lab conducting the DNA testing before they process the samples.

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