Pros And Cons To Home DNA Tests for Paternity
Advances in DNA technology have led to an increase in the use of home DNA tests. As more and more people turn to DNA tests to establish paternity, it is important to understand the pros and cons of using such tests.
The Advantage Of A Home DNA Test
Thanks to advances in DNA technology, it has never been easier to purchase and perform a DNA paternity test. It is now possible to select a DNA testing company online, order a DNA testing kit and have it sent to your home. You are able to take a DNA sample yourself, post it to a lab and wait for the results to be sent to you. It’s that simple.
A DNA home testing kit will typically contain 3 sets of oral swabs, individually coloured, with the respective envelopes in which to store them. A sample is taken by rubbing the swab on the inside cheek of the mouth in order to remove cheek cells. DNA is contained within these cells and it is important that the sample contains enough of them to produce a good result. The entire process is simple and pain free, and, assuming the instructions are read and followed correctly, delivers results that are accurate and reliable.
The biggest advantage to using the home DNA paternity test is that the entire process can be performed in the privacy of your own home, and, in your own time. One no longer needs to make doctor appointments or have painful blood tests anymore. Once the kit is sent to you and you have taken the necessary samples, you simply post it to the laboratory address provided and wait for your results. These will typically take between 5-7 working days and results are sent by email and post.
The Disadvantages Of A Home DNA Test
Using a home DNA paternity test does has its disadvantages. This type of test is what’s known as a “peace of mind” test. In other words, the results are purely to satisfy a personal need to know and would be not be admissible in a court of law.
Instead, one would need to purchase a legal DNA test, which would involve DNA samples being taken by a registered nurse or doctor, identification being authenticated and samples sent to the lab by the doctor in question.
The biggest disadvantage, however, to using a home DNA test is the issue of cheating. If someone wants to avoid a positive paternity result they can easily replace their DNA with someone else’s. This could occur in cases where a man wants to disprove paternity over a child, for example. By the same token, if a woman wanted to cheat on a test she could submit DNA from a different child. Unless the samples are taken in the presence of each other and sent off to the lab immediately, it is sometimes difficult to trust that the samples are submitted are accurate.
At easyDNA U.S. your home DNA testing kit will be sent to you via regular post and should reach you within 2-5 working days once payment has been processed.
At easyDNA you will find answers to all questions regarding paternity, siblingship and legal definition. We are equipped to provide full legal and emotional Paternity Test services, using state of the art technology, at competitive rates, on time, every time. To contact us with further questions please email [email protected]
