Top 10 DNA Paternity Testing Myths Revealed
10. "A $99 test is the right choice for me."
9. "I can't stand the sight of blood or needles, so I could never participate in a paternity test!"
8. "I have to wait until the baby is born to have a paternity test done."
7. "If I get a test, people will find out about it."
6. "Paternity testing divides families."
5. "Paternity testing takes too long. I need results now."
4. "My ex-boyfriend is gone. Without him, we will never know who the father of my child is!"
3. "I cannot do a paternity test because the potential father of my child lives hundreds of miles away from me."
2. "It doesn't matter where a paternity test is performed because all labs are created equal."
1. "Paternity testing is expensive."
10. "A $99 test is the right choice for me."
A $99 paternity test can be more expensive to the consumer in the long run. These tests do not hold up in court. They are generally not reliable because the testing could be done outside industry protocols and/or performed by inexperienced staff, which could lead to results that are interpreted incorrectly leading to false results. If you are inquiring about a paternity test for any legal matter, further testing would have to be done, which would require more fees. Wouldn't it be better to pay only once for something so important?
9. "I can't stand the sight of blood or needles, so I could never participate in a paternity test!"
While a blood sample can be used, most labs use a painless buccal swab to collect sample DNA from inside the participant's cheek. The swab is similar to a cotton swab, but is made of a material called Dacron, which creates a consistent surface for the cheek cells to adhere to. As mentioned above, this collection process is painless.
8. "I have to wait until the baby is born to have a paternity test done."
Prenatal paternity testing can be done as early as the 10th week of the pregnancy until as late as the 24th week of the pregnancy. A chorionic villi sampling (CVS), in which cells are collected from the placenta, or an amniocentesis can be performed to collect loose fetal cells to be used in a DNA paternity test. There are slight medical risks for these invasive procedures and they must be performed by a medical professional. Some companies claim to be able to perform non-invasive testing of the mother's blood to determine paternity. However, these tests are not scientifically validated and are not endorsed by AABB-accredited laboratories.
7. "If I get a test, people will find out about it."
Each case is unique and should be handled with the utmost confidentiality. The procedures should be private and discreet. At a private laboratory like DDC (DNA Diagnostics Center), your results are confidential. However, if you go through a child support agency, your results will be public record. Also, if the case goes to court, a judge may need to see the results.With a privately conducted test, once you receive the results, you decide what to do with them.
6. "Paternity testing divides families."
Paternity testing has many benefits. It is used in adoption, immigration, genealogy and other family-building cases. Testing benefits the child in cases where paternity must be verified for inheritance or insurance purposes and in cases that involve child support. It's true that you do need to prepare for the results; the important thing, however, is to be able to move forward once you know the truth.
5."Paternity testing takes too long. I need results now."
If a lab can dedicate a team to your case, the testing can be done as fast as one day. It is more expensive if the results need to be performed in a swift manner. A few labs can offer results in an average of five days in most cases—DNA Diagnostics Center can complete it in 3 days. In general. you will receive prompt service and results if you are using a private laboratory. If you are planning on going through a government child support agency, it could take months for the processing and paperwork to go through, even though the actual testing may only take a week or two.
4. "My ex-boyfriend is gone. Without him, we will never know who the father of my child is!"
In some situations the alleged father is unavailable or unwilling to partake in a paternity test. In these situations, a grandparentage test can be performed. This test uses the paternal grandparents' DNA to determine if the child is biologically related to the grandparents. This test determines if the child is a descendant of the grandparents, so if they had more than one son, all sons would be included as a potential father of the child.
3. "I cannot do a paternity test because the potential father of my child lives hundreds of miles away from me."
Some companies have satellite DNA sample collection sites. DDC has many collection sites in all 50 states and in 168 countries around the world. Each DDC sample collection site is equipped to handle the Chain of Custody process, which requires samples to be taken by a neutral third party. The Chain of Custody enables the results to be used in court. Separate appointments for sample collection can be made to accommodate those not living in the same area. Samples can be collected at different times and at different collection sites. 2. "It doesn't matter where a paternity test is performed because all labs are equal."
All labs are not equal. You should check the accreditations of any laboratory you are considering. You can also check to see if the lab you are considering has perfect accreditation and certificate scores. It is also a good idea to find out if the DNA samples will be tested twice to ensure accuracy and to rule out false results. Not all laboratories fulfill these requirements.
1. "Paternity testing is expensive."
Only a few years ago, paternity tests cost over $1,000. Due to more advanced technology, a test can now be performed for between $400 and $500. Quality should never be sacrificed for price, especially in situations as sensitive as paternity testing. Make sure that the laboratory will test the results twice to ensure accuracy. Efficient and accurate paternity testing should be as affordable as possible. Some companies, such as DDC, offer to start the testing process as soon as they receive a deposit of only $99.
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