Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Truth About Paternity Testing

By Jane Bear

A paternity test is the test that determines the likelihood that a man is the biological father of the child. A paternity test can provide unequivocal results in cases where there is any doubt as to the identity of a child's father, such as where a mother's fidelity is in question, or in some legal child support or custody cases.

Paternity testing is done by DNA paternity test analysis of the three individuals, although older methods have included ABO blood group typing, analysis of various other proteins and enzymes, or using HLA antigens. Prenatal paternity testing, viability test, and in-home testing are the test options available in undergoing a paternity test.

Prenatal paternity testing is done when the pregnant mother is still on her 10th through the 13th week or 14th to 24th week of pregnancy, depending on the procedure to be used. This test may be conducted either through amniocentesis or chronic villi sampling (CVS).

In cases where the father is missing, a viability test can help determine the paternity. The viability test involves testing material like preserved samples of hair or other body tissues.

As its name implies, the in-home testing is done within the comforts of one's home. This type of paternity testing would include the mother, child and the potential father. In this test, a simple swab of the cheek is used to collect DNA samples, the procedure is painless and requires a minimal amount of time spent at the collection site. Loose cells immediately adhere to the swab, which is later tested for DNA comparison in the laboratory. At-home tests can be inconclusive and may not be admissible in a court of law.

It is possible to undergo a world of different types of DNA paternity testing, whether for personal or legal circumstances. People who do it for personal reasons usually wouldn't want other people to know about it. Legal paternity tests can be used to settle adoption issues and settle child-support disputes.

There are only two possible outcomes after taking a paternity test. If the man's DNA types do not match the child's DNA, then he is excluded as the biological father. However, if the DNA types match, then the man is not excluded as the father.

Paternity testing can lead to child support issues, custody and visitation being put upon you and your child if it is proven that you are the biological father. If this is not the outcome you are looking for, it may be wise to carefully think about what is to gain before having the paternity test performed. You can purchase DNA paternity testing kits online.

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