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A variety of options for paternity testing is available. There are invasive, non-invasive, and others more convenient collection of samplings for DNA testing. Invasive type of paternity DNA testing includes amniocentesis and chronic villus sampling (CVS). Examples of non-invasive type, which are safer than invasive ones, are fetal genetic material testing. Other new methods of sampling collection are umbilical cord sampling and saliva sampling and cheek swabs.
Recently, the changing values and beliefs of people led to confusion of who are the real parents. The paternity DNA testing helps eliminate such doubt of identifying the true parent. Several studies conducted have resulted to 99% accuracy of paternity DNA testing.
The changing adherence to traditional family structure also leads people to undergo paternity DNA testing. Sometimes, it is done to protect the rights of children born out of wedlock. This is because it is important to confirm paternity in a court of law if one aims for establishment of custody arrangements. The paternity DNA testing reassures the father of his biological relationship if he is to provide child support, especially if he is to give financial support.
Paternity DNA testing is also necessary in insurance companies. Some companies include this paternity testing results as part of their insurance and inheritance policies. This ensures the company that the benefitting child is biologically related to the father. In addition, this type of testing is also important in adoption cases. Other adoption agencies request for paternity DNA testing in order to register the parental information of the child.
Prenatal paternity DNA testing is done depending on what stage of pregnancy the mothers are in. The varied prenatal test options also provide different results and availability. These procedures are performed in the hospital. The samples are collected by sampling laboratories. Generally, results of these procedures are available within five to 12 working days after specimen collection.
The amniocentesis, for instance, is conducted most of the time at the later stages of pregnancy. This is around 12 to 21 weeks of gestation. Obstetricians obtain amniotic fluid that surrounds the placenta. It is as accurate as the results taken after the child is born.
Chorionic villus sampling is usually conducted at early stages of pregnancy. It is around eight to 13 weeks of pregnancy. This procedure involves obtaining sampling of chorionic villi, which make up the placenta. The samples are later match with the father’s DNA results.
Postnatal testing is another option for women. DNA analysis is most used by paternity testers. DNA is determined through samples such as blood, saliva, cheek swabs, and tissue samples to name a few. Before, blood samples are used to determine blood types but this is inconclusive for people share the same blood types.
An example of advance DNA testing is the kinship analysis that is commonly used for genetic paternity testing.
