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DNA Test
Deoxyribonucleic acid, commonly referred to as DNA, is a genetic
material that codes for all traits in each human being. DNA is
located in a person's cells and contains
half of its information from the mother and half the information
from the father. Because the DNA is entirely of parental
information, it can be used to determine material and/or paternal
parentage through a DNA test.
A DNA test can determine a person's mother
or father with 99% accuracy. A paternity DNA test is used more often
than a maternity test. This is because it is usually already known
who gave birth to the child. On the other hand, there is no
definitive way of knowing the father of a child unless it is through
a DNA test.
To complete a paternity test, the mother, alleged father, and child
must all submit samples to be tested. When the test is performed,
first the sample from the mother is compared to the sample from the
child. When the results are lined, up it is clearly shown which of
the child's DNA comes from the mother. The
process of elimination will show which of the child's
DNA comes from the father. Next, the sample from the father is
compared to the sample from the child. If the part of the child's
DNA that belongs to the father matches up with the sample from the
father it can be concluded that the male being tested is the father.
However, if the sample from the male does not match up with the part
of the child's DNA that belongs to the
father, then it can be concluded that the male being tested is not
the father.
The DNA test is now available for use in home. When this kind of
test is used, the samples are collected and then sent to a lab for
testing. Within a few days, the lab returns the results of the test.
Although these tests are commonly used for paternity and maternity,
it can also be used to confirm siblings and grandparents as well.
DNA testing is so effective that most results will be
recognized in a court of law, as long as the laboratories are
nationally recognized. Even with at home tests, the results can be
legally binding.
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