DNA Testing

What is DNA?

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) contains the information required to build and run the cells of all living organisms. The information in DNA determines our traits and characteristics from the color of our hair and eyes to the ability to deal with stress. It could be seen as instructions or blue prints for our design and the sections of DNA which carry it are what we commonly refer to as genes.

Our DNA is passed onto us from our parents, half from our mother and half from our father, our DNA and genetic composition a combination of both. Our DNA is unique and individual, no two people share the exact same DNA, this earning it the name as our genetic fingerprint.

Why do people do DNA testing?

Paternity Testing

The primary reason people conduct DNA testing is to determine whether a genetic link between at least two persons exists.

This is most useful and commonly used for paternity testing i.e. establishing a father, child relationship. Common scenarios\reasons that result in paternity testing:

• When the paternity of a child is unknown\unclear
• To inform the father and child of their relationship
• Piece of mind for all persons involved
• To prompt the biological father to meet his legal requirements such as child support payments
• To prompt the biological father to ethically meet his parental obligations

Maternity testing

Because mothers carry their child for months and give labour, maternity testing is not as common as paternity testing. However, it may still arise when a mother is separated from her child and the link has diminished or is now unknown.

Genealogy

Genealogy has become one of America’s fastest growing pastimes.  Knowledge of DNA allows the analysis of samples to determine important and useful information about family lines of both parents. In addition, analysis of DNA is now available that outlines the anthropological origins of an individual's ancestry. The information provided from this can be quite detailed and provides a strong framework for genealogy investigation or to confirm and support any ancestral information already gathered.

What does paternity testing involve? How does the DNA testing process work?

• DNA samples from the appropriate persons are taken. To ascertain paternity, samples must be taken from the father, the child and preferably the mother also. The easiest and most common way to extract a suitable amount of DNA is by swabbing the inside of a cheek
• Documentation must be signed by the owners of the DNA samples, giving permission to use their samples for the purpose of DNA testing
• The cheek cells are processed in a laboratory so that the DNA is extracted from these cells for testing
• When exposed to a special enzyme the DNA multiplies millions of times ready to be tested
• The DNA of the child is compared to that of the parent(s). Specific sections of a person’s DNA are also found in the DNA of either parent
• An analysis of this DNA involves a satisfactory number of these sections to be compared
• This process should be repeated at least once and double checked before the results are confirmed

Can DNA Testing be done at home?

Nowadays, yes, you can now use at home DNA testing kits where you can conveniently and discreetly provide samples to be sent to a laboratory.

So far, home DNA tests have been made to establish not just paternity but the sex of an unborn baby as well as genetic indicators of potential diseases. Tests maybe purchased in selected drugstores or laboratories and have become increasingly available on the internet.

Is the DNA testing kit easy to use?

The process of collecting a sample of DNA is very simple so using the kit to do so is too. Generally a kit will require the participant to use a sealed and sterile cheek swab (supplied) to take samples of cheek cells and skin from inside the cheek. The cheek swab complete with cells is placed in a supplied sealed envelope and sent off to the laboratory for analysis. Now all the participant needs to do is leave the work up to the laboratory and wait for the results.

How long will it take to receive my DNA test results?

Processing of DNA tests will vary depending on the laboratory and their workload but results usually take between 3 days and a week once samples are extracted. With home DNA kits the usual processing times apply once the samples reach the laboratory via post. Some labs may have special services and associated fees for speeding up processing if you need your results fast.

How accurate are the tests?

DNA testing has the potential to be extremely accurate some laboratories claiming up to 99.9% accuracy.

Assuming that directions have been followed home tests can achieve an accuracy rate as high as a laboratory since the samples ultimately end up in a laboratory anyway. However, home tests are subject to a greater margin of error. There is a greater likelihood of samples being collected incorrectly, contaminated, being the wrong sample or subject sabotage. For this reason home tests may not be accepted by courts for legal purposes.

What is the difference between a Court Approved DNA test and a Peace of Mind DNA test?

A court approved DNA test requires that participants of DNA samples are present with sufficient photo identification and forms when DNA samples are extracted. The court must be satisfied that the samples have been taken from the correct people.

What are the costs?

DNA tests start at a couple of hundred dollars, for laboratory taken samples and the same for home DNA test kits since samples inevitably end up being processed in a laboratory. Costs vary depending on the degree of testing that is required.

For example:
A test that requires the DNA samples and analysis of both parents will cost more then a test that only requires the DNA of the father. In the case of establishing between men that are related, either both must supply DNA samples or the analysis on the one man will involve more in-depth processing. Again, this will be more expensive then a straight forward analysis.