
DNA testing is an exciting venture for science that is now available to the public. It can be done from the comfort of your own home. If you’ve ever wondered the specifics of your DNA map, you can now receive the results easily through a professional laboratory. DNA testing can answer a multitude of questions about a person’s genetic make-up, and even give proof of paternal heritage.
1. What is DNA Testing?
DNA testing is basically a reading of your genetic map. Strands of your DNA carry all of the information for your physical and biological make-up. Eyes are blue because of the proteins of the DNA.
By reading this genetic map, identifying these proteins, and comparing to hundreds of thousands of DNA samples, science can tell your ancestry. While not every question can be answered (medical anomalies included), more can be read from our DNA than ever before.
2. How is DNA Paternity Testing Conducted?
DNA testing will show your mother and father by comparing DNA information. You can have these DNA tests done from home. Many professional labs such as CRI Genetics will send you a packet. A simple swap of the inside of your cheek collects the DNA information. You return the swab to the lab and wait for your results. Many labs will respond with a couple of months or less.
If a mother wants to determine the paternity of a child while the child is still in the womb, it is possible. There are two types of tests that can be conducted. One is a non-invasive test that takes blood from the mother and locates the DNA of the fetus. Another more common test is an invasive procedure that samples placenta tissue or amniotic fluid.
3. How Accurate is DNA Paternity Testing?
The DNA paternity test will show one of two results except in rare cases. The match to a non-biological related person will show 0%. The match to a biological mother or father will show a 99.9% result. There are rare instances of people who carry at least two different sets of genes, and the results may not be as definitive.
4. Why have DNA Testing Done?
There are many reasons to have a DNA test performed. Many people feel they don’t have the basic answers to ‘who they are’ in regards to ancestry. Knowing the answers can give you a new outlook on literally who you are. You can compare your DNA to over 600,000 markers. Many people find the medical information of their ancestors from DNA testing alone worth the time and cost, as it could be a risk indicator.
5. Can DNA Testing Confirm Race?
DNA testing can not confirm a person’s race, necessarily. The tests will confirm your ancestry, but there are many different factors that determine race. Once you know your ancestry, following up on the customs and definitions of those particular race and ethnicity’s will help you more concretely understand your race.