Elements of DNA Paternity Testing that Affect the Costs

Disputed biological relationships are generally resolved by DNA testing, and while paternity testing is by far the most common form of relationship proved by DNA analysis it is not the only one. This, and several other factors that explain the difference in cost between individual tests, are explained here.

1. The Quality of the Testing Procedure

Testing procedures vary according to requirements and to the needs of those ordering them. It is a general rule that the more basic the test requested, the lower the price will be. A standard test will normally involve the analysis of 16 genetic loci, although cheaper tests can be carried out using fewer than that. The standard of the test kit will also have an implication on the cost: a laboratory-prepared kit will cost less than a Promega validated kit for example. As the price is reduced, the quality of the test reduces accordingly, as does the certainty of the result.

2. Number of Participating Subjects

Testing is not necessarily carried out on only one person, and there are cases where others have to be tested. Where siblings or even twins are involved, the cost will be higher, and the same is true where more than one potential father has to be tested in a paternity dispute. It is not uncommon for the mother’s test to be carried out free of charge, but otherwise the more people that are tested the higher the cost.

3. The Time Factor Involved

DNA testing takes time, particularly when there is more than one sample involved. If the time factor is important and the results are required within 48 hours, or even the next day, the price will be higher. This additional cost can, in many cases, double the overall cost of the test.

4. The Location of the DNA Test

Like any other product the costing of DNA Paternity Testing is influenced by market forces. The prices charged in the USA are relatively low compared to those elsewhere because such testing is fairly common with Americans. Not only does the sheer volume of tests drive the price down through economy of scale, but this popularity breeds competition which in itself leads to highly competitive pricing policies.

5. The Nature of the Sample Analyzed and the Complexity of the Test

The samples used for testing can take many forms, and some are more difficult to analyze than others. Blood samples, hair, skin and oral or Buccal swabs are common forms of sample, and because hair, for example, involves more sample preparation and analysis that an oral swab wipe, it will consequently cost more to analyze. The type of test also presents significant cost implications. Hence, a paternity test, that is easier to carry out than a sibling test, will be priced the lower of the two, assuming other factors being equal.

6. The Legal Standing of the Test

If the results of the test have to stand up in court it has to be carried out under strictly controlled conditions. A private test, carried out with the objective of setting people’s minds at rest, need not be strictly controlled. Some of the requirements of a legal test include the need for the sampling to be notarized by a third party to ensure that the sample is that of the person identified, and that the test kit be transported to the lab by secure courier. Not only has that, but the testing kit itself had to be of a higher quality and more comprehensive than that for an ordinary or regular test. All of this has cost implications.

As should now be obvious, the prices charged for DNA Paternity Testing can vary widely according to a number of variables. It is very important, therefore, that you are aware of the cost beforehand, and that prior to arranging a test you get a firm indication of the price you will have to pay.

Dna Testing Definitions

DNA testing and the whole process that goes with it can be confusing for anyone, particularly if you’re never experienced the process before. It is packed full of complicated scientific jargon that makes very little sense to most people and requires an knowledge of genetics to even remotely comprehend. Luckily, we’ve compiled this basic list of DNA testing definitions to help keep you on track throughout it all:

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the acid within each and every one of our cells detailing everything about the way in which our bodies will function and appear. Think of DNA as the plans to your body – the blueprint to how you’re going to work. Inherited in equal measure from both the mother and the father, no two persons’ DNA is alike, making it ideal for identifying criminals from crime scene DNA evidence and for determining paternity in contentious situations.

Avuncular Test: The testing of the alleged father’s relatives alongside the sample from the child in question in determining paternity. This can be used where the father is not present or not available to give a sample for DNA testing, and can help determine (albeit with lesser accuracy) whether or not particular samples are genetically related. It is nevertheless desirable to conduct all DNA testing with the father having previously been sampled to ensure more accurate results.

Paternity Test: The most common form of DNA testing, paternity testing, establishes whether or not an alleged father does indeed share a genetic relationship with the child in question. By matching up the DNA of the mother, the father and the child in question it is possible to identify parentage by looking for a 50/50 split in genetic material from both parents.

Oral Swab: The most effective and easiest way of collecting a DNA sample. Achieved by simply scraping the swab against the inside of the cheek in order to glean genetic material from the cells of the cheeks, before being sealed and sent off to the lab for testing at which point it can be matched with additional samples from the other parties involved. Oral swabs are preferred to other samples because they are comparatively easier to read and compare.

Chromosome: The location of the genetic material (that is to say, the DNA) within each cell, in which there are 23 pairs of chromosomes in total. The male chromosomal partnership is identified as X and Y, whereas females do not possess this distinct Y chromosome. Therefore it is possible to test male relationships of a genetic nature through the Y chromosome which in itself very infrequently mutates as it is passed between father and son.

DNA Testing: The overall process by which DNA samples are compared in order to identify a particular individual in criminal, medical or legal circumstances, or purely out of curiosity. DNA testing can be used to determine paternity, or place a crime suspect at the murder scene, and has been proven to be highly effective in boosting conviction rates for serious criminal offences.

Using Dna Testing

DNA testing is by far the most effective and accurate means by which a biological relationship can be said to exist between one person and another. Whether that be through traditional paternity testing or alternatively testing some more distant relationship (usually in order to determine paternity), such as avuncular testing or grandparentage testing, there are a number of significant reasons for using DNA testing where disputes or potential discrepancies arise. Whilst there is a minimal margin for error in any testing, DNA testing is the most accurate form of establishing relationships available, which makes it ideal for use in a number of scenarios.

Legal Use

One of the most common uses for DNA testing is for legal reasons. There are a number of legal scenarios where paternity, or family relationships become important to the outcome of a case. Whether that be an intestate inheritance dispute, where determining family relationships could have a significant bearing on the execution of a particular estate, or some child law reason, DNA testing is one of the most accurate ways of picking up on genetic relationships which can provide the necessary proof for determining the correct legal outcome. As a result of its increased effectiveness over other methods of detection, nothing compares to DNA testing for accurately determining family relations.

Medical Use

Medical use is the other major field of practice for DNA testing. In medical situations, it can often be important to determine biological relationships in determining potential exposure to certain genetic conditions and in matching suitability for certain treatments. As medical research continues to advance, so too DNA testing becomes more high profile and more widely used in general practice as a far more conclusive way of identifying family relationships where is matters most.

“Curiosity” Testing

Whilst testing doesn’t usually require maternal DNA samples, the at-home, or so-called Curiosity test is a good way to get peace of mind or to determine with some conclusivity whether or not you share a family relationship with another person – mostly a child. By testing oral swabs through a DNA testing kit normally sent to the client, the at-home testing is both easy to effect and accurate in producing results for determining DNA links where paternity is in question. For personal reasons or just for the sheer curiosity, the at-home test is far less controlled by protocol, but nevertheless can come up with accurate results where a particular relationship exists.

DNA testing is becoming more and more available, as the most accurate means of testing relationships. Where there is at least some degree of relationship, there is nothing more effective at determining genetic relationships than DNA testing, particularly in light of the advances in testing technology in recent years. From paternity testing through to siblingship testing and even grandparentage testing, using a DNA test can be a cost-effective and accurate way to determine whether or not alleged relationships do in fact exist. With that in mind, DNA testing should be your first choice of action should a family disputes arise on a biological relationship.

Paternity Test: For Peace of Mind

If you have had more than one partner, it is natural for you to want to know who the father of your baby is. Different reasons to establish paternity include the need to collect support financially or emotionally, or simply for the peace of mind that accompanies knowing for sure.

Paternity testing from an accredited laboratory typically costs between Rs11500.00 and Rs.20000.00 in India, depending on the company where you are getting it tested and the type of paternity testing you choose.

Why is establishing Paternity important?

Why is establishing paternity important?
Paternity gives your child…..

1. A sense of identity and belonging.

2. Increased likelihood to know about diseases or disorders that exist in the father’s family.

3. Entitlement to the father’s financial and economic benefits, such as child support, health insurance, social security, pensions and veterans benefits.

4. The right to inherit from the father in the event of his death.

5. Establishing paternity is a must, in order to get a child support order.

Types of Paternity Testing: Postnatal (after your child’s birth) DNA testing: Blood collection and testing Buccal swab (cheek swab) collection and testing Umbilical cord collection and testing Other sample collection and testing (semen, tissue, hair, etc.) Prenatal (before your child’s birth) DNA testing: Amniocentesis: This test is performed in the second trimester, anywhere from the 14th-20th weeks of pregnancy. During this procedure, the doctor uses ultrasound to guide a thin needle into your uterus, through your abdomen. The needle draws out a small amount of amniotic fluid, which is tested. Risks include a small chance of harming the baby and miscarriage. Other side effects may include cramping, leaking of amniotic fluid, and vaginal bleeding. A doctor’s consent is needed to do this procedure for paternity testing. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): This test consists of a thin needle or tube which a doctor inserts from the vagina, through the cervix, guided by an ultrasound, to obtain chorionic villi. Chorionic villi are little finger-like pieces of tissue attached to the wall of the uterus. The chorionic villi and the fetus come from the same fertilized egg, and have the same genetic makeup. This testing can be done earlier in pregnancy from the 10th-13th weeks. A doctor’s consent is needed to do this procedure for paternity testing.

When paternity tests are done for legal reasons, strict chain-of-custody procedures are employed by the laboratory to ensure that samples are safe and free from tampering. Photos and/or other identifying information may be taken from those to be tested, and samples are stored and transported in tamper-proof packaging. Samples may also not be collected or transported by any of the parties involved in the case.

Can I use the DNA test results in court? Many companies now offer court-approved tests, but also lower cost “curiosity testing.” If you aren’t sure if you will need the results for a court case, it is probably worth the extra cost to go ahead and have a court-approved test done.

Since DNA is present in all living cells, various types of specimens are suitable for paternity testing. Samples for genetic testing are often taken by a swab from the inside of the mouth, but blood samples may also be used.

Paternity Testing on Absent Fathers

DNA testing is one of the most conclusive ways available to determine paternity of any given child. By taking a sample of DNA from both the alleged father and from the child in question, high-tech DNA profiling techniques are used to match reference points across genetic markers on both samples which can lead to an accurate determination of where a genetic relationship exists.

In an ideal world, paternity testing would have available both a sample from the child and from his alleged father in order to best establish the link between them. However, in some DNA paternity testing cases the father is not available to give his DNA sample, whether through choice, or unavailability for some other reason. However, where the father is absent, it is still possible to use other DNA tests to determine whether a relationship exists.

DNA Testing on Other Direct Relatives

By performing DNA testing with other members of the family that share some of the same genes with the alleged father, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a likelihood of paternity over the child in question. Obviously the father’s sample is desired for reasons of accuracy and conclusivity, however it is more than possible (particularly with advancing testing technologies) to be able to determine paternity through shared genetic material through more distant relatives to the father. In other words, provided a relative of the alleged father is available for DNA testing, you should be able to obtain some results although this may not always be conclusive.

DNA Testing on Grandparents

In the absence of the alleged father or any separate sample of his DNA, the alleged paternal grandparents can provide the key to establishing paternity. By taking a sample from either one or both the grandmother and grandfather of the baby, it is possible to determine even in the absence of the father whether or not there is shared genetic material and consequently whether or not there is a shared relationship, i.e. parentage.

DNA Testing on Male Relatives

Y-STR testing is one of the most innovative DNA testing methods honed in recent years, tracking down the male-only Y- chromosome to establish genetic links between male children and elder vertical male relatives, for example grandfathers, great grandfathers, even great uncles by blood relationships. This can be particularly handy where the father is unavailable and direct elderly relatives have died, given that a great deal of genetic material passes unmutated from father to son throughout generations. Of course, this is however absolutely of no use for DNA testing of female children.

DNA Testing on Siblings

Alternatively siblings can also provide a close genetic match, which makes it possible to test whether or not two children are related by the whole blood, rather than half. Where there is dispute over the potential father of a child, an alleged sibling’s sample can be a good way to compare DNA to determine the extent of the relationship. The same can be said for brothers and sisters of the alleged father, who can also share some genetic material sufficient to provide a result in DNA testing of the child in question,

If your situation requires is such that you require to do the DNA testing through one of the alternatives above, it is always advisable to contact in advance the company who will be performing the DNA test and explain your case in full so that they can advise you on the DNA testing options available as well the results that can be obtained.