Who’s Your Daddy? DNA Testing For Paternity
One of the first commercially marketed use of DNA tests started in the late 1990’s to confirm paternity, mostly to determine child support. In the US, the demand for paternity tests has increased more than two-fold in the last 10 years while it has grown ten-fold in the UK.
About one family in 25 finds that the father in question is not the biological father of his child as he had been led to believe. The number of such families will probably increase as genetic testing becomes more common.
Without counseling–genetic or otherwise–unexpected and/or undesired DNA test results can lead to:
- relationship breakdown
- mental health problems for both partners
- domestic violence
- low self-esteem and anxiety for the children involved
This is why I caution everyone to be wary of at-home DNA tests purchased either online or off the drugstore shelf. There is no subsitute for face-to-face genetic counseling provided by a trained, caring, and understanding human being.
BBC News, August 10, 2005
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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health
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2 opinions for Who’s Your Daddy? DNA Testing For Paternity
Matth
May 12, 2006 at 8:22 pm
Free Paternity Tests. Saw this site today: http://www.identigene.com
Anyone heard of them? Do you think it’s a good company to use?
Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD
May 13, 2006 at 2:00 am
Matth: Not quite free unless they don’t return results to you in 3 days, right? I don’t have any personal experience but if you try it and are willing to share, would love to hear about it.
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