Non Invasive Prenatal Testing: easy, risk free and Accurate

It is also the actual sampling with invasive prenatal paternity testing via amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling that makes some expectant mothers shudder- needles inserted through the abdomen or catheters through the vagina- such medical investigations are anything but a walk in the park.

Luckily, constant research in the field of DNA testing means that today you can eliminate thoughts of bleeding, cramps, miscarriages or anything that approximates an amnio or chorionic villus sampling.

Why not do a Risk Free Prenatal Test rather than an Amnio?

This is thanks to risk free and OBGYN-free non invasive prenatal testing. Scientists have known for a long time that the baby’s DNA profile can be mapped from the maternal blood. Just a blood sample from the expectant mother and a sample from the alleged father can be tested using highly advanced DNA testing methods. From the expectant mother’s blood sample, the unborn baby’s genetic markers can be mapped. Quite incredible but true! Scientists have known for decades that the unborn baby’s DNA circulates in the mother’s blood stream- the challenge was extracting this fetal DNA from the maternal blood.

Non invasive prenatal paternity testing is highly accurate (as accurate as 99.9%) and reliable- it could really spell the end of fetal DNA sampling procedures such as CVS and amniocentesis to establish paternity in pregnancy.

Will Justin Bieber take a Paternity Test?

Yeater gave birth to a baby boy she claims Justin Fathered last July. She claimed the timing matched perfectly with her brief and only encounter with Bieber after a concert and that timing of the birth made it clear that only Bieber could be the father. Contradicting her claims, is her X boyfriend who said that Yeater had initially told him that he was the father of the baby.

Yeater has dropped the claims and the lawsuit and is apparently aiming for an out-of-court paternity test. She has been adamant that Bieber is the father and that the paternity test result will confirm her suspicions. Bieber’s representatives and Bieber himself have denied Bieber’s claims from the very start.

A paternity DNA test is today acknowledged as being the only means to confirm the paternity of a child. Paternity DNA testing is so accurate that can leave no doubt as to the issue. Would would most likely happen in this scenario is that Bieber would provide his own DNA samples to be compared against those of the baby he allegedly fathered. Yeater, as the mother, would probably also be encouraged to include her DNA samples in the test so as to provide a more accurate result.

If Bieber is not the father of the child, he will be excluded with a 100% probability. If Justin Bieber goes ahead with the paternity test and if we get to see the results is still to be seen.

Obtaining your Baby’s DNA for paternity testing during pregnancy

Prenatal Testing: Invasive or Risk Free? - Not Much to think about

If it is only to determine the sex of the unborn baby, you can have an advanced baby gender test carried out with a sample of maternal urine. If it is a prenatal test to know who the father of the unborn baby is, things are somewhat more complex. You could first consider undergoing amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. Amniocentesis is carried out between the 15th-20th week of pregnancy. A pregnancy calculator can help you determine what week of pregnancy you have reached. Chorionic villus sampling takes place between the 10th and the 12th week. Both tests will need the assistance of an obstetrician or gynecologist. Your family doctor will not be able to carry out amniocentesis or CVS for you.

Amniocentesis involves insertion of a needle through the abdomen and into your womb. The OBYGYN will ensure to insert the needle into the correct place because he or she will be guided by an ultrasound. Often, an anesthetic cream will be rubbed onto your abdomen to anaesthetize the area at which the needle will penetrate the flesh. Whilst the procedures will not leave you in any pain, they can cause discomforts. CVS, or chorionic villus sampling is a prenatal test carried out earlier, between the 10-12th week. The OBGYN will insert a catheter into the vagina and into the womb. The problem with both tests is their inherent risks – which include miscarriage.

Non Invasive prenatal Paternity Test

Non invasive prenatal paternity testing is nowadays becoming the means of determining paternity before birth chosen many who are aware of the possibility of this test. This type of DNA testing in pregnancy is essentially risk free and thus, there is no chance of miscarriage as could happen with an amnio or CVS. A blood sample, normally taken from the arm of the expectant mother, and a DNA sample from the alleged father are all that are needed for this test. Essentially, because any pregnant mother carries her baby’s DNA in her blood stream, this test is rendered possible. Using highly advanced DNA testing methods scientists will map the child’s DNA profile. They can actually separate the fetal DNA from the maternal DNA from the expectant mother’s sample- unfortunately; as yet, you will only find a few companies offering this test.

So, to conclude, for a DNA test when pregnant you have the option of a non invasive or an invasive test- whichever the case, ensure to get a full and detailed consultation.

DNA Testing for Colonel Gaddafi’s remains?

When Bin Laden was found dead, DNA testing was instrumental to be sure that the right man had been caught. This was despite advanced computer software that was able to confirm the identity of the corpse based upon facial and other physical traits. DNA tests provide much sounder and definite proof of identity. It is thus, very likely that DNA samples will be taken from the alleged body of Maummar Gaddafi and compared to either DNA sources that authorities are in possession of or alternatively, use the DNA of the colonel’s known relatives. If DNA tests confirm the biological relationship between the DNA of the corpse and that of the colonel’s relatives, then Maummar Gaddafi is dead.

This means you can begin with the excitement of choosing names, toys, clothes and all the exciting choices that come with having a baby much earlier- perhaps you might want to keep the results secret from family members and friends, why not?

Regarding the actual gender prediction test, there are home tests which can be done via a kit- these tests are instant result tests, in much the same way as a pregnancy test kit. The reliability of these tests is questionable- they do get it wrong, so careful before rushing to the baby shops if you have done one of these tests.

Baby gender Test: Boy or Girl?

Gender prediction testing that is DNA based is by far more accurate. All you will need to do is provide the sample required which can be either urine or blood- the test can take place very early in the pregnancy, in fact as early as 9 weeks.

DNA testing for baby gender is far more reliable as it is a laboratory test for which the pregnant mum will provide a urine sample. Highly scientific methods of analysis mean finding the baby’s DNA in the mother’s blood and as we know, boys have very specific genetic markers which can only be found on the male Y chromosome. If they find this male DNA, then the baby gender test result will confirm you are having a boy.

Genealogy and ancestry are related fields- in fact genealogy is the study of ancestry .  Just as botany is the study of plants, ancestry is what you study, while genealogy is the name given to that study. Those who have an interest in genealogy can use that interest to study their ancestry, or those in their family who came before them. Ancestry testing has been carried out on countless historical figures including Hitler, Marie Antoinette and the Russian Tzar.

A Simple Family Tree - Why Not Keep Records of Family Genealogy?

You have two types of ancestor: those going down your father’s line (your paternal ancestors) and those going down your mother’s line (your maternal ancestors). You also have direct ancestors and collateral relatives.

Ancestry testing uses specific parts of your genetic code which are linked to out ancient ancestors- these will tell you about studied anthropological groups and migrations patterns of ancient ancestors.

Direct Ancestors and Collateral relatives

Your direct ancestors are those collectively responsible for your existence. Thus, although your aunt is your father’s sister, she was not responsible for your being, so she is known as a collateral relative. That is a relative that shares your blood to an extent, but is not in your direct lineage. Your grandfather, on the other hand, is a direct ancestor because had he not existed, neither would you have.  Your grandfather was responsible for the birth of your father or your mother, each of whom who was in turn responsible for your birth.

When you research a family tree, you would generally start by tracing your direct ancestors. Once you have gone so far down your direct line, and have some experience in genealogy, you will be more capable of tracing your indirect ancestry, or collateral relatives. For some, just finding their direct ancestors is sufficient work, because that in itself can lead to quite a large family tree eventually, depending upon how far back you go.

For example, the two people directly responsible for your existence are your mother and father. Then one step below them are your four grandparents. If any of these four had never existed then neither would your mother or your father, and therefore, nor would you.  Go one step below them and you have eight, then 16 then 32 and so on – just so that you were born! Imagine, then, the work involved in tracing your collateral ancestors: the brothers and sisters of the eight great-grandparents and then their children – and so on, and so on!

Genealogy Records

Genealogy records are those that can be used to determine your ancestry, and these two come in direct and indirect forms. The direct records are your ancestors’ birth certificates, created at the time of their birth, or other records created to show where they were at a specific time, such as the census records that are available for you to research. Secondary records for your existence include driving license records, marriage certificates and death certificates.  They prove you were born, but not when or where you were born or where you lived at any time.

Where to Research Your Ancestry

Initially you should research the primary records of an ancestor’s birth. Records of all births and deaths (direct records of your ancestor’s death) are maintained by local authorities, and many are available online for a fee. You can also research indirect records in courthouses, parish churches, and local registries depending upon where you are.  UK records go further back than those of the USA for example.

There are websites where you can find records of tombstone engravings, taxes paid and other transactions carried out in a parish that can be used to identify individuals.  Census records are also available online – as far back as 1780 in the USA. Census records show who lived where on a specific date. Electoral rolls can show the permanent residence of ancestors on any date. There are many other sources of primary and secondary records available to enable more accurate genealogy to be carried out once you have the basic names and dates.

Irrespective of the semantics, many people use genealogy and ancestry as meaning the same thing: finding out who their ancestors were and building a family tree. They are more interested in the final result than the words used to describe it.

How do I collect DNA samples with my home testing kit?

Collecting samples can be done with just a simple mouth swabs. If you have ever had a medical throat swab for infections or something on those lines, you already have an idea of what a swab looks like; moreover, you will probably also remember that this is totally painless. An at home paternity test will contain everything you need to do the sampling by yourself.

Swabs, for those who have not seen them, look very much like cotton buds- but they have cotton on just one end and have a long stick so as to be able to reach inside the mouth, under the tongue and the inner cheeks; these are the typical places from where DNA is collected.

Here is how to collect the DNA for a paternity test: rub the swab for ten seconds under the tongue and inner cheek. Do this with two swabs for every person. The leave the swabs to dry and send them off for laboratory testing.

Normally the DNA testing company will send you a kit with which to collect samples; the kit is easier because it has instruction and forms to be filled in. In cases where you are too in a hurry to get the kit you can buy swabs from you local pharmacy but then contact the company who is going to do you test as they will need to explain a few things regarding collecting the samples without a paternity test kit.

What Does DNA predisposition testing do?

Genetic predisposition DNA testing, or DNA health testing as some refer to it, is based on analysis of what are called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and these are linked with the onset of hereditary illnesses. The list of conditions that your genetic test report can highlight is very extensive and moreover, for each illness, the chances of you developing the illnesses will be expressed as simply percentages.

The illnesses and number of illnesses of course vary from company to company but generally all DNA testing companies focus on illnesses falling within the following 4 categories.

• Immune system (eg. Multiple sclerosis)
• Cardiovascular conditions (eg. Heart Diseases)
• General health (eg. Obesity)
• Cancers (eg. Lung cancer)
• Ageing (eg. Alzheimer’s disease)

Some companies make certain claims which you need to be aware of and which have no scientific grounding. These may include linking your personality to your genes and telling you your predisposition to pessimism or altruism or perhaps to being artistic or musical. There is no scientific backing to support these.

Some issues People have with Health Genetic Tests

Some argue that a genetic test may condition people not to have children if they know they have a predisposition to certain illnesses. This worry about the tests comes from, for example, some Catholics, who may be concerned that it may thwart the main aim of marriage- to have children.

Others worry about people who may solely believe in biological determinism; these people do not take into consideration the importance of lifestyle and environment and how these weigh considerably on the development of certain genetic illnesses. They simply take their lives and their development as depending solely on their genes. Genetic tests are sometimes carried out on unborn child and the baby DNA profile mapped; whether the child might suffer from Down’s syndrome or Turner’s can be found out in this way.

Genetic Predisposition Test: Living longer and Better

Genetic health tests are a relatively new field of research. They have proved useful to many who have taken control of their lives, making conscious and informed choices about how to live. If you have a high predisposition to lung cancer: avoid active and passive smoking, avoid heavily polluted areas etc. This is just one example, but for different illnesses you can take a different approach to your life. Moreover, the test is far from expensive and if you think you the important information it can tell you and how you can use it to a positive outcome, most would think it worthwhile to undergo health genetic testing.

Doing a DNA paternity test (Vaterschaftstest) is very simple. Blood is no longer used for the paternity test; so relax, you do not need to have any veins punctured and blood withdrawn. Advances in the field of DNA testing means today all you need is a buccal swab. Huge changes in the way DNA is analyzed mean that geneticists and scientists in the field can take a very small sample of your DNA using a process known as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), make hundreds of copies of it and thus, have all these multiple copies to work with.

Swabs can just be rubbed inside the mouth, under the tongue and around the cheeks. This action causes cheek cells to stick to the end of the swab. From these cheek cells, DNA can be extracted for the paternity test (Vaterschaftstest) and the necessary genetic markers analyzed. Your paternity test results will be ready in just a few days. If the DNA profiles of the father and the child match, then clearly, the man analyzed is the biological father of that child. This is DNA paternity testing in a few crude lines.

Siblings are of Two Types

As mentioned, siblings can either share the same father; in this case, they are known as agnate siblings. Agnate siblings will have different mothers.

Uterine siblings are siblings that share the same mother but have different fathers.

First cousins whose parents are identical twins will have their genetic makeup which is very close to that of siblings despite being first cousins rather than siblings.

How Much DNA do Siblings Share?

It is difficult to say with accuracy how much DNA is in common between two full siblings and thus predict the accuracy of a sibling DNA test. Normally, scientists would expect to see around 50% of common DNA. However, there can be cases where full siblings have hardly any DNA in common- in this case the result of the sibling test would be inconclusive despite the people tested being full siblings; also, in other instance, siblings can have so much common DNA that it may show as high as 95% or higher- in this case, the siblings test would clearly show the people tested are siblings.

When to do the Sibling test?

Sibling testing is a type of relationship test. Most often than not it is siblings themselves who wish to do the test. Very often, they do the DNA test to know if they share a common father. In most cases, the mother is known and rarely disputed; but paternity is another issue. It is often difficult for siblings to do a paternity DNA test with the DNA sample of their father; this because they would not want their father to know about the DNA test or in other instances the alleged father has passed away. The sex of the siblings involved is also an issue because different tests might actually be suited to siblings depending on whether they are male or female. Females wishing to know if they have the same father can do an X chromosome test; males wishing to know if they have the same father can do a Y chromosome test.

Sibling DNA testing is just one means of knowing paternity; the test is often conclusive but the randomness of genetics means that sometimes you might get that inconclusive result. Other tests might be available or options to help get a stronger result. For your sibling DNA test.