Does your DNA Make You More Likely to Cheat?

by HOMEDNA on 08/27/2018

The Statistics on Cheating aren’t Pretty

You don’t understand why he cheated on you. You keep yourself up. You’re fun. You have a good job. You’re smart. You’re attentive to him. You may even be the mother of his child. So why?

You don’t understand why she cheated on you. You’re a kind man. You’re gainfully employed. You pay attention to her. You’re fun. You give her compliments. You’re smart. So why?

Most committed partners, both married and unmarried, don’t plan on having an affair. No one looks into their new spouse’s eyes on their wedding day thinking, ‘I’m going to tear your heart to shreds one day.’ If you’re in a long-term relationship and have never even been tempted, you may think you’re safe from slipping up. But it happens. A lot. According to facts and statistics about infidelity:

IDENTIGENE-DNA-CHEATER2-0130-60% of all married people in the United States cheat at some point in their marriages.

Not only that,

2% to 3% of all children are the product of infidelity.

Especially if your partner is a serial cheater, you may wonder if it’s programmed into their DNA. Well, you may not be far off.

DNA Study Connects Cheating to Genetics

Brendan Zietsch, an Australian psychologist, set out to answer the question of whether genetics can predispose someone to cheating. In other words, is the likelihood of cheating programmed into someone’s DNA? Zietsch analyzed data from 7,378 Finnish study participants: some were siblings, while some were twins. The one factor they all had in common is they had been in a monogamous relationship for at least one year.

Why use twins? Twins, both fraternal and identical, are often used to help scientists determine whether or not a trait is inheritable. Identical twins are especially useful in this case, since their DNA is 100% the same. So if there are differences, it can be assumed that they are due to environmental factors (Kim). The study’s findings were published in early 2015 in the scientific journal Evolution and Human Behavior.

Study Conclusions about DNA, Genetics & Cheating

In a nutshell:

  • 8% of men admitted to having more than one sexual partner in the last year.
  • 4% of women admitted to having more than one sexual partner in the last year.
  • Identical twins (both men and women) showed similar cheating or non-cheating data, whereas fraternal twins and regular siblings did not.

Zietsch concludes from his research that: ‘an individual’s genetic makeup in general influences how likely he or she is to cheat’ (Kim). There is not a single ‘cheating gene’ in the DNA, but rather that genetic variations affect our hormone levels. These levels determine how bonded to our partner we feel.

Other Points of View about DNA and Cheating

As you can imagine, this study raised skepticism. In a Washington Post article about this topic, marriage therapist Christian Jordal said about this study, ‘[why people cheat is] the same sort of mystery of the human heart: How is it that we choose to be attracted to someone? In the same way . . . we don’t have [all] the answers around infidelity issues.’

Commentator Eric Metaxas, writing for the Christian website Breakpoint says of the study’s conclusions: ‘…this view of human behavior demeans the human person, reducing us to amoral automatons doomed to act only according to our genetic software.’

IDENIGENE-DNA-CHEATER3-01The Bottom Line

So what does all this mean? It means that as genetic science gets more and more sophisticated, more studies may (or may not!) corroborate the infidelity findings of the Zietsch study. For sure, the scientific community doesn’t have all the answers yet. And even if there is a genetic component that makes cheating more likely, in our opinion, acting on the urge to cheat is always a choice, right? So if you cheat, you probably can’t get away with that age-old excuse: “My DNA made me do it!”

Of particular concern to us as a top paternity test company is that 2-3% of all American children are products of infidelity. There is a variety of important reasons why these children should know who their biological father is, and that knowledge can also strengthen families in the long run.

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What do you think about this controversial topic? Share in the comments!

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 Resources

 Kim, Meeri. “Whether You’re a Serial Monogamist or Have a Tendency to Stray May Be Partly Programmed into Your Genes.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2015. Web. 13 Jan. 2016. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/11/06/whether-youre-a-serial-monogamist-or-have-a-tendency-to-stray-may-be-partly-programmed-into-your-genes/>.

 Metaxas, Eric. “The Scarlet DNA?” The Scarlet DNA? Breakpoint, 16 Nov. 2015. Web. 13 Jan. 2016. <http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/28461?utm_source=Colson%2BCenter%2BMaster%2BList&utm_campaign=14b91288d8->.

 “Truth About Deception.” Truth About Deception. Truth About Deception, 2016. Web. 13 Jan. 2016. <http://www.truthaboutdeception.com/cheating-and-infidelity/stats-about-infidelity.html>.

How to Change the Father on your Child’s Birth Certificate

by HOMEDNA on 07/23/2018

NOTE: The rules for every state may vary, and we do not give legal advice. If you have questions, we highly recommend you contact your state’s department of vital records or a family-law attorney. 

There are several reasons for wanting to the change the name of the father on a child’s birth certificate: You may have discovered the man listed is not the child’s true biological father, an alleged father may want to establish a legal relationship with the child, or perhaps you simply suspect the man on the certificate is not the biological father and are curious what the process of amending vital records might entail. Whatever the case, changing the parentage on a birth certificate is a complex and time-consuming process that should not be taken lightly.

Here’s what you need to know about changing the parentage on a birth certificate.

Presumption of paternity

A birth certificate is completed and issued at the time of a child’s birth. If you are not certain of the child’s biological father at this time, you can opt to leave the father’s name empty and add it later once you have taken a paternity test, which does not require having to go to court in most states. The mother can always take a non-invasive prenatal DNA paternity test so that this information is known before the child is born. (This type of prenatal paternity test can be performed as early as seven weeks.)

In most states, both individuals are presumed to be the parents if a couple is married. This is commonly known as ‘presumption of paternity,’ as the man is automatically registered as the biological father of the child without DNA verification. If marital infidelity is suspected, a legal paternity test can be taken and presented as evidence in court.

How to change the father on a birth certificate

In order to change the father listed on a birth certificate, you must go through a lengthy process to legally pronounce an individual as a biological parent and legal guardian. This is known as adjudicating parentage.

The process begins with submitting a petition to your state judiciary requesting to adjudicate parentage. Your state should have an official form for adjudicating parentage that requests information such as:

  • The name(s)of the child or children whose parentage you are trying to amend
  • Whether the child(ren) currently has(have) a legally-acknowledged/presumed father
  • Signature or proof of notice submitted to the new paternity registrant
  • If a legal DNA paternity test has been taken prior to filing the suit

Prior to submitting a petition to adjudicate parentage, you may want to consider taking a legal paternity test to speed up the process. While a home DNA paternity test performed for personal use will clarify the paternity of the child, in most cases it cannot be used as evidence in court. Legal paternity tests have specific requirements, such as the involvement of a third party collector to verify individuals’ identities and to serve as witness to prevent any fraudulent activity.

If your case is successful, the judge can issue an order to adjudicate parentage specifically outlining what changes to make on the birth certificate. This order is required with VS 21 applications for amending birth records. When you obtain the VS 21 application, be sure to include a certified copy of the court order with the original seal and court clerk signature (not the original document) to reduce the chances of your application being rejected. Photocopies or other unofficial documents will likely not be accepted. However, it is recommended to include a photocopy of the original birth certificate to expedite the process.

Once your application to amend birth records is accepted, you will have successfully completed all of the steps to change the father on the birth certificate. The average processing time for these changes is approximately two months, after which time the new birth certificate will reflect the correct parentage.

Important note about changing a child’s birth certificate

Keep in mind that even if a DNA paternity test determines that a man who is not on the birth certificate is the actual biological father, a court may not agree to change the name on the birth certificate while the child is still a minor. This is especially true if there is already a man listed on the birth certificate who has accepted legal responsibility for the child and is supporting the child. Ultimately, for a minor child, the decision is up to the court. This is why it’s extremely important for men who think they fathered a child to make a claim within the first two (2) years.

Getting a legal DNA paternity test

Changing the father on a child’s birth certificate can be difficult, but by taking a legal paternity test beforehand, you can eliminate a lot of unnecessary costs and waiting time.

IDENTIGENE legal paternity tests are fast, simple, and affordable. Just call to set up a collection appointment, bring proper ID verification, and get your results in two business days after the samples arrive at our laboratory.

Take the first step of changing the father’s name on your child’s birth certificate with a legal paternity test from IDENTIGENE. Learn more about legal paternity testing in this blog post or click here to arrange for a legal paternity test now.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact our  Client Support Center at 800-34-9583, Mon-Fri  from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help. Get answers anytime by visiting our Help Center.

Sources

“Adjudication Clauses, Rules and Procedures.” Construction Adjudication (2004): 113-40. California Department of Public Health. Web. 22 June 2015 <http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Documents/AdjudicationPAMPHLET-(01-14)-MERGED.pdf&gt;

“Establishing Paternity and Legal Paternity Testing.” IDENTIGENE. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 June 2015 <http://dnatesting.com/establishing-paternity-and-legal-paternity-testing/>.

“Paternity Testing: Can I Change the Name on the Birth Certificate?” Home DNA Direct. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 June 2015 <http://www.homednadirect.com/dna-news/can-i-change-the-name-on-the-birth-certificate-with-paternity-testing.html>

Which type of paternity test is right for you?

Which Type of Paternity Test is Right for You?

by HOMEDNA on 04/09/2018

Who am I?

As a trusted and reputable DNA testing company, our scientists perform thousands of paternity and other relationship tests each year. Even with the high number of paternity test and other types of analyses we run, we are careful to remember that behind every results report is a family seeking answers to some of life’s most important questions:

  • Am I the father?
  • Is this my grandchild?
  • Is the man who raised me my biological father?
  • Who am I?

The specific reasons for getting tests are as different as the people who request them: medical history, immigration, child support, custody, curiosity, or just peace of mind. Each situation is unique, which is why the our expert client-support specialists are ready to listen and then help determine which relationship test is right for you. After all, a straight paternity test kit you can get at the store may not be right for your situation. Here’s a quick overview of the different types of relationship tests, along with the advantages and possible disadvantages of each.

Paternity Testing

If your question is one of direct paternity (Is this my child? Is this person the father of the child?), then a straight paternity test is the simplest, most cost-effective choice. It requires the child’s DNA, along with the alleged father’s. Each HomeDNA IDENTIGENE paternity kit comes with enough cheek swabs to also test the mother, and although her participation is not a must, we highly recommend that she send in her samples too in order to safeguard against inconclusive results.

Peace-of-mind Paternity Test

For a peace-of-mind test, you just pick up a kit online or at your local retailer. Samples can be collected at home and you send them directly to the lab. Samples can be sent from multiple locations, if one or more participants live in a different area. This is the test you want to do if you’re just using the results for your own information or to put your mind at ease.

Advantages:
  • Samples can be collected in private using an at-home kit.
  • Lab fees are low.
Possible Disadvantages:
  • Testing results are not court-admissible. This is because participants are collecting and submitting their own samples, and therefore the court cannot determine if participants are who they say they are
  • If the potential father is not willing to participate or cannot for whatever reason, then more expensive family-reconstruction testing is required (see below)
  • This type of testing is not currently an option for New York residents. New Yorkers can purchase a kit at the store, but (per New York law) testing must be requested by a lawyer or physician. A Legal Paternity test procedure must be followed (see below)

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Legal Paternity Test

If you are going through a paternity-related court process or anticipate that you may need to use results in court at some point in the future, then a legal paternity test is right for you. With this type of testing, an independent third-party DNA Collector is responsible for collecting (or supervising collection of) DNA samples. The Collector checks ID to verify identity and personally sends samples to the lab. Once at the lab, the testing process is exactly the same as it is for a peace-of-mind test.

Advantages:
  • There are qualified Collectors all over the country
  • The process itself is simple
  • DNA test results are court-admissible
Possible Disadvantage:
  • There are additional fees associated with the collections process

LEARN MORE

Immigration Paternity Test

An immigration paternity test is usually conducted if an individual is seeking a visa, passport, or citizenship.  When no other credible proof of relationship exists, such as a birth certificate, school record, etc, then a DNA test may be used to prove a biological relationship.

Advantages:
  • This DNA test, if done correctly, is internationally-recognized as proof of a biological relationship
  • Because this test follows the same process as a legal-paternity one, you can be sure all participants’ samples are verified
Possible Disadvantages:
  • It is a lengthier process than a peace-of-mind test
  • As with most immigration matters, it is necessary to go through red tape. Fortunately, when you work with an accredited lab like IDENTIGENE, a lot of the legwork is done for you

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Family Reconstruction Testing

If a paternity test is not possible, either because the potential father has passed away, cannot participate or chooses not to participate, family reconstruction testing can be done to help determine paternity or to establish other biological relationships (grandparent, aunt, etc.).

Some things to keep in mind:

 The lab fee for family reconstruction testing is more than the fee for a straight paternity test because much more extensive analysis is required.

  • Depending on who is participating in the testing, results may be inconclusive
  • In any family reconstruction test, the rule is: The more participants are involved, the more likely you are to get a conclusive result. The cost is higher, but it’s well worth it!

DNA Testing for Grandparents

If a paternity test is not an option, the next best choice is to test a child with the potential father’s biological parents and the child’s mother. Both grandparents’ participation is optimal, but if only one grandparent is available, a percentage of probability can still be established.

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DNA Testing for Siblings

You can test a child in question with the known child of a potential father. There are different types of testing depending on whether they are full or half siblings.

DNA Testing for Aunts/Uncles

Testing for an aunt or uncle involves testing the child in question with a full sibling of the potential father.

LEARN MORE

The Bottom Line

A straight paternity test (either peace-of-mind or legal) with child, potential father, and mother as participants is definitely the best way to confidently determine paternity. It’s also the most affordable test. If a potential father is initially unwilling to provide a sample, we highly recommend talking it through with him. Ultimately, knowing the truth is best for everyone involved.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 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. Get answers anytime by visiting our Help Center. 

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