DNA Paternity Testing

It is not unknown to many that men told to have fathered a child sometimes suspect if they truly are the father of the child. Now, men - and even mothers - need not wait for nine months or even years after before finding out the real or biological father of the child.

If two or more of the same family members need testing to determine paternity, all of them are tested along with the mother and the child. This does require more intense testing and will rule out the family members until one person shows results as the father. If testing for a decreased or missing mother or father, you can use the DNA samples from other family member to determine paternity.

Although most of the genetic DNA paternity testing is done for financial reasons, some are done for determining the parentage for a few other reasons. If a father of a child needs to donate bone marrow to the child, a paternity test will conclude if the father is a match and in some rare cases, prove the father not to be the father. In these cases, paternity testing is essential to the health of the child in question.

There are a number of DNA paternity tests available to determine the relationship of the child and the supposed father. DNA analysts will evaluate which paternity DNA test would best fit the client's situation and needs. Even the collection of the sample will be scheduled based on the most convenient time for the client. Most DNA testing laboratories will have the results ready within five days or less upon receiving the samples.

Although paternity DNA testing is quite accurate, it is never possible to prove 100% that a man is definitely the biological father of a child, as it might be remotely possible that another man may have the same DNA profiling as that of the child. Most paternity DNA testing requires utmost security and confidentiality. One should also ensure that all the specimens collected for analysis should be collected according to the regulations, which require photo identification of all people providing blood samples, specifications for labeling and sealing of sample containers, and maintaining confidentiality of the case details, including names, addresses and results. One should also ensure that the DNA testing centers store all samples and case files in a secure area with tightly controlled access.