Matthew Knowles has taken a Paternity DNA Test
Posted on | September 3, 2010 | No Comments
The world of the rich and famous is peppered with people doing paternity DNA tests. Matthew Knowles is just one whose fame lies in being the manager of his daughter’s career Beyonce and also the driving force behind Destiny’s Child which brought Beyonce’s name on the R&B scene and paved her way to becoming the momentous name in the world of music.
Matthew Knowles does Paternity Testing
The contrast between the life of father and daughter lies in the fact that Beyonce’s life has not drawn any media criticism or scandal. Her father’s life has been somewhat different. Matthew Knowles has been married to Tina Knowles for thirty years. However, he has had an 18 month affair with Alexsandra Wright, known for her role in the sitcom ‘’Scrubs’’’. The affair also earlier last year’s allegedly produced a child, Nixon. The strain on the Knowles marriage was such that it led to its break down and the married couple is in court seeking divorce.
In the mean time, Alexsandra has been in court trying to get a court ordered paternity test to establish Matthew Knowles as the father; no because she is in any doubt as to whether he is the father of her child but because she wants Matthew to take on all his legal responsibilities and provide child support for Nixon. She will very likely be able to claim thousands in monthly support payments which would also include retroactive payments which have not been paid since the birth of the child.
The Paternity DNA test
After an 18 month relationship with someone there is a good chance that is the woman claiming to be carrying your baby is actually right. Matthew Knowles has consented to the paternity testing and the result is an inclusion; this means that Knowles is without shadow of a doubt the father of the child. Beyonce and her sister, Solange, both singers, now have a half brother.
Paternity tests essentially seek to map the genetic patterns of the putative father and the child. If the genetic patterns match, then it is clear that the child has inherited his or her genes from the alleged father tested. The test is highly accurate and scientific.
Matthews Knowles is just one of the many names who have taken such a test. Outside the world of celebrities, millions of paternity tests are sold all over the world. Other celebrities who have done paternity DNA tests include Jude law and Keanu Reeves.
Tags: Alexsandra Wright > Beyonce Knowles > court ordered paternity test > Matthew Knowles > paternity DNA test > paternity testing > Solange Knowles > Tina Knowles
Why is my DNA test result delayed?
Posted on | July 1, 2010 | 1 Comment
A DNA test result is accurate and reliable whether you have done a paternity DNA test or an infidelity test or any other related test. The company which is doing the laboratory analysis for you will also give you an accurate turnaround time within which to expect your results; the turnaround time is calculated as from the day your samples are received at the laboratory.
Reasons for DNA test result delays
• Problems with the consent forms: in each kit there is a consent form which requires all test participants to fill in some details such as name, surname and date of birth as well as their signature. If any samples are received and there is no signature on the consent form for the samples, then the test cannot go ahead and the paternity test result may be delayed. You will need to be sent a new consent form and add the necessary signature.
• Problems with the swabs: In the case of a paternity test, the standard test involves testing of the father and child’s DNA samples. There is often an added charge for the mother’s samples. However, DNA test kits are packed with swabs for mother, father and child. If you paid for father and child and include the mother’s samples, testing will likely have already commenced using the mother’s samples and you will thus have to pay for it.
• Delaying DNA test results because of incorrect sample collection: DNA samples are taken using mouth swabs because these are extremely simple to use. However, you need to follow a few simple steps and follow the instructions supplied in the DNA test carefully; these include not eating, drinking or smoking for an hour before your sample collection session. If you forget to follow any of the advice given you your samples may be contaminated or degraded and thus, be useless for testing.
In such cases you will have to re-sample and re-send another batch of swabs. Another related issue involves the rare occasions in which one of the swabs you provide does not provide sufficient DNA. DNA testing companies normally send two swabs per person exactly for this reason – should one swab not have enough DNA, the second swabs can be tested. However, this may delay your DNA test result.
Other reasons for delays with paternity test results
Paternity DNA test results will be sent to you by email (unless you specify receiving a hard copy by post). In some cases, results may be sent to you but end up in your spam folder rather than your inbox. Moreover, paternity results are not sent to all test participants but only to the person who has ordered the test. If you wish to receive a copy of the results, the person who has ordered the test has to organize this with the DNA testing company.
It is rare to have any delays in your DNA test result. However, this can happen and such delays are out of the control of the DNA testing company. All errors or delays can be worked through and the company will be happy to advise you regarding on what to do in such circumstances.
Tags: DNA samples > DNA test kits > DNA test result > infidelity test > paternity DNA test > paternity DNA test kits > paternity test result
Nigeria: Pfizer Requests Victims to Undergo DNA Test in Order to Claim Compensation
Posted on | June 11, 2010 | No Comments
The American Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has been taken to court and will dish out compensation to victims in Kano, Nigeria, who have allegedly been left deformed or even died as a result of the testing of a vaccine for meningitis. DNA testing will be used to establish the validity of the claims by the families of victims and those suffering from deformities as a result of the drug tests.
In 1996, during an epidemic of meningitis, cholera and measles; Pfizer is said to have carried out illegal drug trials with the drug Trovan Floxacin, a broad spectrum antibiotic, on over 200 children. 12, 000 people were left victims of the epidemic.
A Nigerian court may however, halt all proceedings. The DNA tests needed to identify victims and relatives are to be carried out by a team of American scientists but following the court order, the testing might not commence. The families of the almost 200 victims of the 1996 drug tests have rallied together presenting a case in which they object to the DNA tests on the victims as there is no independent verification of the DNA samples; these tests would technically be needed to identify victims but the board representing the families question how they can be sure these DNA samples are not from other children in Nigeria. The victims themselves are attempting to stop Pfizer having any judiciary control over the matter.
The issue is that the numbers of claims have far out done the number of people who actually took part in the drug trials in 1996. The lawyers representing the families want the DNA testing procedures and compensation to cease. They ground their claims in unfairness caused by conducting these DNA tests in Nigeria and have rejected the 35 million dollar compensation offer. The Kano State Court has filed an official suit for 2.75 billion $. Objection put forward include the suggestions that Pfizer has taken advantage of the widespread illiteracy of the people.
The Chairman of the victims, Alhaji Mustapha Maisikeli has objected to the families’ claims saying that names had suddenly appeared on the compensation list which were not originally part of the deal. This, he claims, is highly unfair on Pfizer.
DNA testing would technically be used to ensure the rightful victims are entitled to the settlement; that their death or deformity is truly linked to the testing of the drug and not other causes. Some families want to be tested to be able to prove that they lost a relative in the 1996 drug trails. Pfizer sticks to its guns insisting that it has acted ethically.
Tags: Alhaji Mustapha Maisikeli > DNA testing > DNA tests > Nigeria Pfizer > Pfizer > Trovan Floxacin
Thinking of Prenatal Paternity testing? Know Some basic Information
Posted on | May 31, 2010 | No Comments
It is not uncommon for people to want to establish paternity before the birth of the child. In such cases prenatal paternity testing can easily solve the issue. You may want to read a bit more about this kind of test to fully understand it.
Paternity testing: amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is a well-known procedure and was mostly carried out to detect genetic illnesses; however, this type of prenatal paternity test can also be used to solve paternity issues. The test is done under local aneasthetic. A needle is needed to puncture the abdomen and draw out amniotic fluid from the sac with envelopes the fetus. In order to puncture the correct place the doctor is guided by an untrasound.
Although the incidence of miscarriage is very low following amniocentesis, the risk is nevertheless there. Other consequences may be vaginal bleeding and infection.
In such a test it is important to have a DNA sample from the mother. This is because the amniotic fluid will provide a mixed DNA profile as it contains the baby’s DNA and the mother’s; having the mother’s sample will clarfy which DNA belongs to the child.
Paternity testing: chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
This procedure can be used for your prenatal paternity test and allows the possibility of being carried out earlier in the pregnancy. A doctor enters through the vagina to gather a sample of the chorionic villi which are protrusions involved in the exchange of blood between mother and baby. Again there are certain risks including miscarriage.
Ethical implications of prenatal paternity testing
Once you receive the results informing you about the paternity of the child, what then? So the child’s father is not who you hope it would be? Do you terminate the pregnancy? In terms of abnormalities in the baby, if you find out the unborn child will not be normal? It is a complex issue that has sparked much debate as has the minor risks associated with these invasive procedures.
Prenatal paternity tests: Is it a case of better now than later?
Securing the rights of a child is crucial. Any child, depending on the country, is entitled to certain social benefits and legal security. Moreover, there are also issues of citizenship as well as inheritance laws. Essentially, however, the reasons for carrying out a pre-natal paternity test as opposed to a post natal test a few months after are personal and often involve the need to reduce anxiety and solve the paternity issue as soon as possible in order to plan and think things through.
One must weigh all the pros and cons, the fact that they will likely need a doctor’s consent, the possible after effects, the ethical debates, the cost and the baby and then decide whether to do prenatal paternity testing or not.
Tags: paternity DNA test > paternity testing before birth > post natal DNA test > prenatal DNA test > prenatal paternity testing > prenatal paternity tests
Alarms, Guard dogs and Cat DNA
Posted on | May 20, 2010 | No Comments
In an age of rising crime rates we are all finding new ways to protect our houses but beyond cctv cameras, safe windows, alarms and the traditional guard dog, there may not be that much more we can do. However, scientists have now been studying cat DNA as a means of busting thieves and other intruders.
As a household pet, cats are far more popular than dogs and moreover, cats are often actual live-in the house pets than spend their days sleeping in comfy spots, moving around and importantly shedding thousands of little hairs wherever they go. Like the DNA in humans, the DNA in a cat’s fur is unique to that cat and thus, each can has a unique genetic profile.
Cat DNA Testing
Using cat fur as forensic evidence is yet one more boundary the DNA testing has overcome. Originally, everyone assumed DNA testing concerned only humans but things have changed. Today animal DNA testing is a big market. Cat lovers now have cat DNA testing available so as to know any predisposition to disease their cat may have; they may also do a cat DNA test to determine the paternity of a litter of kittens-effectively this is a paternity DNA test for cats.
Your cat’s DNA- How will it help in police criminal investigations?
The average cat has by far more body hair than the average human; cat hair is moreover thicker and somewhat stickier. If you visit anyone cat owners house you will invariably collect samples of their feline’s friends by sitting on a sofa, a chair, or simply brushing against a surface. Once you have brushed off the cat fur then you are holding on your clothes a unique DNA profile that can be traced back to the feline resident of the house you visited. Some US states are already working on compiling a cat DNA database.
Hair DNA in humans and hair DNA in cats
If you have ever inquired about a hair DNA test or know some of the basics of DNA you may know that DNA is found throughout nucleated cells in the body. Since hairs are simply made up of protein then we know that there is no nuclear DNA in hair. The same applies for cats- there is no nuclear DNA in cat hair. However, cat hair and human hair contain what is known as MtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) and this, like nuclear DNA, is unique to each of us.
Cat DNA convicts murderer
A body was found in a grave on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Police investigators identified the body as belonging to Shirley Duguay. She had five children and had separated from her husband Douglas Beamish. He also became the prime suspect but there was no evidence for it. A stained leather jacket found near the crime scene could not be confirmed as belonging to the murdered. Forensic studying of the jacket showed 27 white hairs which when tested for DNA scientists found belonged to a cat. They now needed to establish which cat the DNA belonged to; police investigators remembered seeing a white cat at Beamish’s residence and thus, if they could link the DNA on the fur on the coat to the cat at Beamish’s residence they had their killer. Genetic testing did in fact show a match; the cat DNA on the fur was the same as the one of the cat in his residence.
It is unlikely that anyone a decade or so ago would have imagined cat DNA to be of use in forensics; the field of DNA testing will keep challenging on overcoming new boundaries.
Tags: Animal DNA testing > cat DNA > cat DNA testing > genetic testing > hair paternity DNA test > MtDNA test > paternity DNA testing
Junk DNA: Exploring New Boundaries in Genetics
Posted on | May 14, 2010 | No Comments
Scientists know quite a lot about our DNA or perhaps quite a little. We know that DNA serves a function but we also know that the vast bulk of it serves no function at all or perhaps and more likely, it serves no known function – this DNA is referred to as Junk DNA or non-coding DNA.
We continue to discover more and more about our DNA; it is truly a mystery why we have so much of it. Scientists seem to have found a link between cancer and our junk DNA. We knew that many illnesses were genetically linked and in fact, genetic predisposition tests have been made to help us find out the illnesses that we are predisposed to develop; illnesses include lung cancer and breast cancer. However, Junk DNA study it a totally new aspect of DNA that may well tell us much more than what we thought we knew.
Most of our DNA according to molecular biologists encodes for nothing; in fact, they reckon it is around 98%. The other 2 % is what encodes for something; perhaps eye colour, hair colour, predispositions, sex etc. DNA is an incerdibly complex molecule which is extremely long and convoluted much like a ball of string. The fact that we have all this junk DNA that does not seem to serve much of a purpose is of great interest to researchers as they believe it is likely that much of it does serve or served as purpose in the past. If a DNA sequence has served its purpose it is possible for that DNA to be deactivated.
In some experiments scientists have even tried to remove junk DNA sequences and have found that removing these does not in any way affect the physical characteristics or behavior of the animal (this is referred to as a phenotype). The results of such studies on animal DNA can easily be extended to humans without actually experimenting on human DNA, at least not for the time being. Whatever the case, things are changing as scientists are beginning to think that this genetic trash is actually not likely to be trash.
Junk DNA and cancer
The Leeds University UK, the Charite University Medical School and the Max Delbruck Centre for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in Berlin, Germany, have been working on our Junk DNA and have found that it can be linked to cancerous growths, specifically Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; a cancer the affects out white blood cells and is generally considered one of the more easily treatable cancers if detected in the early stages.
The study was led by Dr. Constance Bonifer and Dr. Stephen Mathas, from the University of Leeds have been co-researching and found that certain repeats in junk DNA can be linked to the development of Hodgkin’s as well as other types of cancer. They have uncovered the mechanisms through which Junk DNA (which is inactive and thought to have served little purpose) is activated. They have specifically worked on sections of the DNA known as Long Terminal repeats which have developed in human DNA over the thousands of years of human evolution. These Long Terminal Repeats are activated in thousands when lymphoma develops but also likely responsible for tumors. The studies on Junk DNA continue.
Tags: genetic predisposition test > Hodgkin’s lymphoma > junk DNA > long terminal repeats > non-coding DNA
Cheating in a Paternity test (Part II)
Posted on | May 5, 2010 | No Comments
Cheating in a Paternity Test part I highlights some ways in which people actually cheat and how to deal with it if you suspect someone may have a propensity to cheat in the paternity test; this article explains some of the ways in which people may cheat in a paternity test and how they will be caught out.
Understanding DNA sample collection and how labs detect cheating
DNA sample collection is extremely simple. However, cheaters may deliberately try to break some of the mandatory instructions to effective sample collection. They may for example, deliberately smoke or eat before the test or touch the swabs with their finger tips. In such cases, the DNA sample could be degraded and laboratory analysts will detect this as they may not be able to work with such samples; they will probably stop the test and ask for new swabs to be sent in.
Another common tactic of DNA contamination is using the same swab for more than one person; thus the mother may swab herself and her son in an attempt to alter the results of the test. In such cases, laboratories will detect multiple DNAs or what is referred to as a mixed DNA profile. Of course, they will not be able to proceed with the testing using such samples.
Attempting to send a non-human DNA sample is a rather far-fetched, desperate attempt at altering results and will get the cheater in the paternity test absolutely nowhere; however, it has been attempted.
Cheating in a paternity test can take place by switching swabs; in such a case, for example, the mother would put her swabs in the father’s envelopes. Again laboratories will detect this because as a quality control measure in all samples they test what it known as the amelogenin sex gene. The amelogenin sex gene is one of the sex determining genes and is present in both male and female DNA. However, the amelogenin sex gene on the male specific Y chromosome will display different peaks when tested to the peaks for the gene on the female X chromosome. The testing of this gene is also central to infidelity DNA testing ; a test that can help solve issues relating to suspected cheaters and infidelity.
What about if the cheating in the paternity test involves submitting the swabs of a friend?
If for example, the father has asked his male best friend to submit swabs instead of him, laboratories will not be able to detect this. However, the result of the test will definitely be an exclusion of paternity. Moreover, should the cheater be caught out there could be serious legal consequences.
It is not common for people to cheat in a paternity test. However, it can happen. Generally, we can rely on the moral integrity of people, that they genuinely want to know the truth even if it may not be what they want to hear.
Tags: amelogenin sex gene > cheating in a paternity test > infidelity DNA testing > paternity DNA testing > paternity test cheaters
Cheating in a Paternity Test (Part I)
Posted on | April 27, 2010 | No Comments
Paternity testing is highly accurate and reliable. The demand for this test is growing and it has by far out done any other means available to determine paternity. However, the accuracy of the test can be compromised, results flawed, laboratory testing hampered or made entirely impossible if there is cheating in the paternity Test.
How is a Paternity Test done?
To understand how paternity test cheaters manage to cheat we need to first and foremost understand how we do a paternity test. Most paternity DNA tests are at-home tests. This means that the company carrying out such tests will send you a kit containing oral swabs and you will have to collect your own DNA samples by simple rubbing the provided swabs in the mouth. Once you have finished the DNA sample collection you will send back the swabs for laboratory analysis.
How does one cheat in a paternity test ?
Cheaters are known to use a couple of basic ways of cheating; the main ones being:
• They may ask someone who is not meant to take part in the test to submit DNA samples on their behalf
• They may try to swab and animal instead or contaminate their own swabs, deliberately or on purpose, by not accurately following instructions
• They may try to switch swabs and thus, for example, a test participant may place the mother’s swabs in the father’s envelopes
I suspect someone may cheat how can I avoid it?
If you suspect someone may cheat in a paternity test there are certain measure you can take. You could for example have all test participants meet up together and take the DNA samples in each other’s presence. In this was everyone becomes a witness to each other’s and it would be difficult for anyone to cheat in any of the above examples given. If people living in different geographical locations are involved in the testing, matters can get complicated as it may be difficult for everyone to meet up.
The case is even more complicated if they live in different countries (what is referred to as cross border paternity testing). In such case, if you strongly doubt the integrity of a test participant and feel they may cheat, you might want to go for a legal paternity test. In the case of this test, all DNA samples are taken by an independent third party who actually takes the DNA samples and verifies who those samples have come from.
Legal testing involves added costs and added time.
Generally, it is uncommon for people to cheat in a paternity test and in the end attempts to cheat will likely be revealed. You can understand more about cheating and how cheating is detected in part ii of this article.
Tags: at home paternity test > cheating in a paternity test > cross border paternity testing > DNA sample > legal paternity test > paternity DNA tests > paternity test cheaters
Oprah Winfrey may need Paternity DNA Test
Posted on | April 23, 2010 | No Comments
Another celebrity who may well require a paternity DNA test is Oprah Winfrey. Recently a man has come forward claiming to be Winfrey’s biological father. The Queen of TV shows has never known her father and over the years, unsurprisingly, many men have come forward stating they were Oprah’s father; however, being one the richest women in the world means that many false paternity claims have come and will keep coming to the light. May this claim be from her real father?
Oprah Winfrey – A biographical sketch
Oprah Winfrey, who was born on January 29th 1954, is one of the momentous names in US TV history. Her name is big throughout the English speaking world but status of fame and glamour is in stark contrast with her impoverished origins. Winfrey was born in Mississippi and came from a very poor family. Her parents were unmarried, her mother was a house maid and Oprah never knew the identity of her biological father. Oprah’s parents had had a fling as teen agers but broke up sometime afterwards. On a TV show, Oprah revealed unknown details of her life including instances of rape she suffered when she was a child. In her early teens, her mother sent her to live with a man called Vernon Winfrey whom Oprah believed to be her father but in fact was not.
Kelley’s biography claims to give the name of Oprah’s father
A biographer Kitty Kelley wrote a biography on Winfrey entitled Oprah. Kelley carried out extensive interviews with family members but got little information from people that worked with Oprah as the star made them sign confidentiality agreements. She revealed details about Winfrey’s sex life and approached the issue of paternity- who is Winfrey’s biological father? In the biography, Kelley claims a cousin of Winfrey, Catherine Esters, shed light on which the biological father of Winfrey was.
However, recently a paternity claim has been made by another man. The 84 year-old Noah Robinson, a World War Two veteran, has claimed to be Oprah’s father and has asked his alleged daughter to submit to a paternity DNA test. Until the DNA test is carried out, there can be no scientifically verifiable father for Oprah. The TV show star has admitted that a number of men have come forward over the years making such claims.
A paternity DNA test will ultimately establish the true identity of her father and if Robinson is the one, there is no other way of proving it. DNA testing will basically compare the DNA profiles of Oprah Winfrey and her alleged father; if they share the same genetic markers then the results will show an incontrovertible proof of paternity.
Tags: Katherine Esters > Kitty Kelley > Oprah Winfrey > paternity DNA testing > paternity test > Vernon Winfrey
Dog DNA Testing: What is it?
Posted on | April 20, 2010 | No Comments
Who is responsible for that new litter of gorgeous puppies? Are they pure breeds? Is it possible to do a dog paternity test? The answers to all these questions is ‘yes’. Dog DNA tests are now a growing market and as the interest keeps growing, scientists will keep working on new tests that can do more to help the lives of our pet friends, animal breeders or simply those who have a love for animals.
More about canine testing for breeding
A dog, or any animal, will inherit half its genetic material from its mother and half from its father. You may confirm the ancestry of your dog, the canine lineage, and find out which breeds are present in a dog’s genes. Owners of mixed breeds can get a clear picture that is scientific about the mix their dog consists of. No more random guesses regarding the dog mix of a mongrel.
For owners with pure breeds wishing to breed them, they can trace the dog’s blood line. Your dog’s family tree can now be based on DNA evidence providing a guaranteed pedigree.
DNA testing can tell breeders:
- The breed heritage of your dog
- The pedigree of a puppy your may have bought or a stock of dogs you may have imported
- In case of multi-sire breeding, you may verify which puppies belong to which biological parent.
How to collect a dog DNA sample?
Companies specializing in this kind of canine test will send you a home kit. The test is painless and non-invasive. The Swab is simply rubbed on the inside of the mouth to gather some dog saliva and cells and then the swab is left to dry. The swabbing process does not even require a vet.
The following rules need to be followed to maximize the probability of effectively concluding the result.
- Prior to swabbing your dog, do not allow it to eat or drink for around 15 minutes.
- If several dogs are being swabbed be careful not to allow swabs from different dogs to come into contact with each other.
- Fill in the necessary forms supplied
DNA dog testing for diseases
Knowing what genetic disease your dog is predisposed to get means you can decide which dogs are fit for mating and which are not. Amongst the diseases tested for are:
- Labradors predisposed to Centro Nuclear Myopathy (a condition characterized by muscle weakness and exercise intolerance)
- English Springer Spaniels predisposed to Fucosidosis (the condition can cause weakening of the immune system and can cause adverse behavioral changes; it can result in blindness or deafness).
The above are just two of the many conditions that dog DNA tests can tell you about. The interest in dogs genetics is big.
Tags: ancestry of your dog > Canine DNA testing > canine lineage > dog DNA sample > dog DNA testing > dog DNA testing for disease > multi-sire breeding