A simple paternity test can tell you if the child that looks like you is really yours

As we enter the era of technological advancement, it should come as no surprise that the secrets of human life are being unlocked before our very eyes. Science pushes the frontiers of existence and knowledge further with every new discovery. The paternity test has revolutionized the field of DNA testing, making it possible to easily identify the parents of any person. So if you are wondering if that kid is really yours, now you can simply turn to DNA testing and find out for sure.

Generally, the mother of a child is known and the father may be unknown. In this type of situation, DNA testing is used to determine the identity of the child’s father. This involves a paternity test, a tool that has been of great help in solving disputes over child support, rape cases, unexpected pregnancies, and so on. Unfortunate as it may seem to have to resort to these tests, it can be required in certain situations. DNA can prove beyond any reasonable doubt the identity of a parent.

A paternity test can be requested in case of a claim, and used to establish whether or not an individual is the father of a child or an unborn baby. DNA testing is used because an individual’s DNA is made up of a combination of his or her parent’s DNA. Each cell is a replica of the parents’ somatic cells. This means that testing can be conclusively and safely undertaken. Furthermore, it has become more affordable over the years, implying that you don’t have to leave your questions unanswered any longer.

Prenatal DNA testing is possible, so now you don’t have to wait until after a child’s birth. Not all doctors recommend this type of paternity test, so unless it is absolutely essential, it may be better to wait till after the birth. Viability testing is used when a fresh sample from the father is unavailable and other previously gathered samples, such as hair or nails, are used. Finally, the most common type is the home testing kit or the lab test. These are not very different, as both rely on the results from a laboratory.

The idea behind the paternity test is that once the tissue or blood sample is collected, it is matched against another sample – the father’s – and it needs to be 99.99% similar. This implies that there is a one in some million odds of the result being incorrect. The sample can now be collected at home through a home DNA testing kit dispensed by a lab. Alternatively, you can go in to the lab to get the sample collected. Either way, the sample is to be sent to the lab for analysis and testing.

Further, with the current advances, uncomfortable blood samples are no longer required and children need not be troubled with this process. A buccal sample is taken with a swab provided in the kit, from the inside of the mouth. The analysis of cheek cells, gathered by gently rubbing the swab on the inner side of the cheek, is conducted. Genetic markers are used to determine fatherhood in a paternity test and the mother’s sample is not even required. Just select a secure, accredited lab for DNA testing and make sure that kid is yours before doling out the dough.