The World's Premier Home Paternity Testing Service

This month, we will be presenting information on the characteristics of strong DNA testing laboratories.

This week, our focus is on accuracy.

Many labs claim to offer “accurate results,” but what does that mean?

The dictionary defines “accurate” as work that is “meticulously careful and free from error.” With the potential impact that the results may have on your life, it is crucial that DNA tests be performed accurately.

In the DNA testing industry, accuracy is attained through several processes. Beta strives to eliminate the possibilities of human and mechanical errors by running all samples twice. When samples are received, they are divided and tested by two separate teams. In this way, the laboratory can check the two sets of results against each other for any differences. If a difference is found, the test can be reanalyzed until the laboratory is confident that they have accurate results.

Beta also considers genetic errors as well. Approximately 2% of the cases our lab sees involves genetic mutations, and extended testing is necessary to generate accurate results. We test a minimum of 16 DNA markers, but we have the capabilities to test more if a genetic mutation is suspected. Our scientists are trained to recognize mutations, and by using an extended testing panel, we can prevent false results.

“Why Beta?” will tell you more about Beta’s commitment to accurate results.

Did you know that it was only 20 years ago that laboratories started routinely performing DNA testing?

DNA testing has transformed the field of relationship identification. From as early as the late 1800s, scientists searched for techniques to biologically determine relationships. Initially, blood typing was used to identify relationships between parents and children, although the test results were not very conclusive.

Relationship identification became a little more powerful with the use of serological testing, in which scientists compared the presence of Rhesus proteins (Rh factors) in the blood. By the late 1970s, scientists were able to compare HLA (unique proteins found throughout the body), establishing a more powerful form of relationship testing than blood typing or serological tests. However, this test was not universally useful because of the large samples of blood that were required for testing, making it dangerous and often impossible to test infants and young children.

In the early 1980s, scientists discovered a way to use DNA samples for identifying biological relationships. The RFLP technique yielded highly conclusive results, but, like HLA testing, it required large blood samples in addition to having a long processing time.

The PCR technique, also introduced in the 1980s, changed the face of DNA testing. PCR is powerful enough to test small DNA samples and its turnaround time is very quick. By using PCR, scientists can painlessly collect small DNA samples from the inside of the patient’s cheek using buccal swabs to quickly yield results that are highly conclusive.

PCR is the preferred DNA testing technique in the Beta paternity laboratory. Through this technique, we can provide you with the opportunity to painlessly collect a DNA sample through buccal swabs for fast, conclusive results to your case. Order a free kit from us today to start your DNA test.

Last week we talked about genetic reconstruction and its use in determining paternity and identifying family members. Aside from this extensive test, there are two other DNA tests through Beta that you can choose when traditional paternity testing is not an option.

Siblingship testing
When actors Liv Tyler and Mia Tyler met as children, they immediately recognized their physical similarities. The two knew that they had different mothers, but they had suspicions that they had the same father and were half-sisters.

To genetically determine their relationship, they could have undergone a siblingship test to determine if they were half-sisters. If the test revealed that they were half-sisters, then they could confidently say that they were both the daughters of Steven Tyler, lead singer of rock band Aerosmith.

Siblingship testing is best performed when DNA samples are collected from the two siblings and the siblings’ known parent(s) (in the case where the siblings know they have one different parent, both siblings’ known parents should be tested). Half-siblings will be those siblings that have genetic similarities with only one parent, while full-siblings will have genetic similarities with both parents. Because of its complexity, the siblingship test usually takes about 2 weeks to complete. To learn more about this test, visit our siblingship testing (http://www.betagenetics.com/siblingship-test.html) page now.

Grandparentage Testing
If Liv and Mia Tyler were unable to use siblingship testing, Liv could have considered grandparentage testing. This test would depend on the participation of Steven Tyler’s parents (Mia’s paternal grandparents) to submit their DNA for testing. Their DNA, compared to Liv’s and her mother’s DNA samples, would help identify a potential paternal relationship between Steven and Liv.

Generally, grandparentage testing includes DNA samples collected from a child, the child’s mother, and the alleged father’s parents. This test can be more complicated than a paternity tests, so the test requires more time to complete, with results typically released between 5 and 9 days. Visit our grandparentage testing page to learn more about this test.

If you are faced with the question of paternity, and the alleged father is unavailable, consider undergoing a siblingship test, grandparentage test, or genetic reconstruction.

How can you determine the paternity of your child if you can’t get a DNA sample from an alleged father? Can the alleged father’s family help you determine your child’s paternity?

Genetic reconstruction makes it possible for you to learn more about the relationship between your child and an alleged father, often when the alleged father is missing and no usable sample of his DNA is available. It is also often used in cases of separated family members and adoption.

To use genetic reconstruction to answer your questions about who your child’s father is, you need the help of at least two of the alleged father’s family members. His full brother or sister and his biological parents are best for this test. DNA samples would be taken from the alleged father’s family members, your child, and you (the child’s mother). These samples are painlessly taken with buccal swabs.

Your child’s DNA will be compared to your DNA and then to the family’s DNA to help identify a possible genetic relationship. By comparing the DNA of the alleged father’s family and your child, genetic reconstruction along with other known records can indirectly determine the paternity of your child. After about two weeks, you will receive the test results that will tell you the odds that your child is related to the alleged father’s family.

Few DNA testing laboratories offer genetic reconstruction services because of the test’s complexity. However, you should feel confident choosing Beta, as our scientists and laboratory staff are highly trained and experienced to handle genetic reconstruction cases.

To learn more about this DNA test, visit our Genetic Reconstruction page or call us at 1-800-798-3810. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer all of your questions.