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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : January 23, 2015 12:58 PM IST
Paternity testing has gained huge popularity for providing accurate results in parentage determination. Paternity test is by far considered to be one of the most reliable methods to confirm the biological father of a child. The process is simple and amazingly quick that conciliates the most disconcerting notions arising in your mind time and again. Additionally, these tests are also recognised as prime evidence for child custody cases in the court of law.
An individual s DNA is unchanged in non-reproductive cell. Sexual reproduction randomly brings together the DNA of the mother and father for the formation of a unique combination of genetic matter inside a fresh cell. This implies that the genetic matter of your blood is obtained from both the parents. This genetic matter is referred to as the nuclear genome of an individual, only for being found inside the nucleus.
About DNA Profiling
Contrasting an individual s DNA sequence to another individual s sequence can prove if one has been derived from the other. On the other hand, this process involves testing for copied verbatim from the genome of one individual to the other. A positive result implies one of the two individuals to be the parent of the second individual.
In addition to the nuclear DNA existing in the nucleus, cells also have mitochondria containing genetic material that is referred as the mitochondrial DNA. As a matter of fact, the mitochondrial DNA is received from the mother alone, with no shuffling.
It is, however, easier to prove the paternity if the procedure involves comparing mitochondrial genome instead of comparing nuclear genomes. Conversely, comparison of mitochondrial genomes can provide results only if there exists a relationship through a common descent coming from maternal side through a common ancestor only. (Read: Coming soon via IVF a child with three parents!)
While testing a male child s paternity, Y chromosome is compared for being passed directly to the son from the father.
How Does A Paternity Test Work?
Paternity test compares the DNA of a child to a prospective father on 20 different aspects. These aspects are referred as spots in the medical language.
Accuracy of Paternity Testing
Used for determination of biological paternal parent, this test akin to any other test, is in close proximity to, but not 100% accurate. Contrastingly, the vast results provided make the test unquestionable in the court of law. Paternity test results are interpreted in two forms, viz. the inclusion and the exclusion.
Types of Paternity Tests
The exclusion test is considered to be 100% accurate as the child s DNA is compared to the father s DNA. Half of the chromosomes of a child s DNA come from the father. Therefore, the test excludes a father who does not have matching chromosomes pairs with the child.
On the other hand, the inclusion test is quite different. The results obtained from this test type provide the probability of a father s DNA to match biologically to the child s DNA. The results are usually provided in percentage, with 99 percent and above considered as the best of all.
DNA matching points are termed as loci points in medical terms. The paternity test results are generally determined with the help of loci count extracted from the donor. The test result obtained by a 16 loci count is believed to provide the best results. On the other hand, some of the paternity tests, conducted with 13 loci count, provide less accurate results as contrasted to what can be obtained with 16 loci count.
Samples for Paternity Test
Taking a sample is very simple. All you have to do is take a buccal swab from the mouth. The swab is sealed, labelled and sent to the laboratory for testing. Once the DNA of the sample is mapped, it is compared to the DNA of the other participants to test for paternity.
While the mother s DNA is not usually required for paternity test, it is best to send it along, as it helps to hasten the process.
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Citations
Mutations at Y-STR loci: implications for paternitytesting and forensic analysis.
Kayser M, Sajantila A.
Forensic Sci Int. 2001 May 15;118(2-3):116-21.
PMID:11311822
