Inaccurate DNA Test Results
When a former employee of Washington hairdresser Andre Chreky accused him of being the father of her teenage son, he knew that couldn’t be the case. But a DNA paternity test conducted by Laboratory Corp. of America, or LabCorp, one of the largest paternity testers in the country and the state of Virginia’s exclusive contractor, said that he was with 99.99 percent certainty.
Then it turned out that LabCorp was woefully understaffed with dire consequences for the accuracy of DNA test results and the people affected by them. At LabCorp, only five people review data from DNA tests and make paternity determinations. One supervisor testified at Chreky’s trial contesting the results of the DNA test that he worked 10-hour shifts during which he issued an average of one paternity report every four minutes.
DNA experts say Chreky’s case underscores a growing problem in the burgeoning field of DNA testing: People make mistakes, and people collect the DNA samples and perform the analysis. So, they say, although DNA is as reliable as ever as a definitive science, the people reading and analyzing that science are imperfect. And the volume of DNA testing keeps rising.
People do make mistakes but Anthony Chreky didn’t make one with the woman who claimed he was the father of her son. After two years in court, the judge ruled in Chreky’s favor but he’ll never be able to claim back the time he spent worrying, the money he paid to support a son he didn’t father, and the resources he used to fight the wrongful paternity case.
As much as I believe DNA tests can revolutionize medicine and our world at large, they are as prone to error as any other technology. Whenever possible, get a second opinion or confirmatory test.
The Washington Post, August 20, 2005
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POSTED IN: Genetic Testing
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13 opinions for Inaccurate DNA Test Results
Dr. Ryan
Aug 21, 2005 at 10:11 pm
I commented once before, but I just wanted to say that you’re running a great site. We’ve placed a link to yours on our website, http://www.WhatsNewInHealth…
Lei
Aug 21, 2005 at 11:23 pm
Dr. Ryan, That is very kind of you! Hope you’ll come back and lend us your expertise.
Dorothy
Mar 6, 2007 at 12:53 am
I have recently had to get someone paternity tested but I am not satisfied with the results. How likely is it that they could be wrong?
rob
Mar 22, 2007 at 5:57 pm
I have a question. is it possible for a paternity DNA test results to come negative and one postive with the same alleged father and son? I had a test done with the child and it came out negative and i had a different one done now the kid and mother and this one came out positive is this possible?
Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD
Mar 22, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Dorothy and rob: The accuracy of your paternity test results depend on the number of genetic markers that were tested. The more the better. You should get the specifics from the companies you used and compare them to others’. Good luck!
RJ
Mar 11, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Is there a special dna test for alleged father with sickle cell,and does the age of child make a difference right after the child has given birth.Would a blood test be necessary in determining paternity results versus the cheek swab?in other words would having sickle cell disease effect the results in a paternity if the child is grown and does not have it but the alleged father does?
Nicole
Mar 18, 2008 at 1:37 am
Could the mother and alleged father share some of the same genetic markers, that the baby doesn’t share with them? Could the alleged father, mother, and baby all share the same genetic markers? And can a person only have one genetic gene?
Nicole
Mar 18, 2008 at 1:41 am
would a blood test be more accurate over a swab? Your opinion of my questions would really be helpful and appreciated.
patrick
Apr 22, 2008 at 1:56 pm
what percentage of paternity dna tests are inaccurate, and, can a man receive a fair and accurate dna test?
Pilar
May 6, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I just had a dna test done on the man I presumed to be the father of my son, based on the time of conception from my doctor. Is it at all possible that the test that came out 0% probability is wrong?
KARLA
Jun 6, 2008 at 5:20 am
i jus tested my boyfriend and the test came out negative.. 0 percent… but my son looks just like him! everyone else says the same thing.. and that he should take another test.. i truly believe the test is wrong… how possible is that?
TROY
Jul 20, 2008 at 5:04 pm
HELLO HOW ARE YOU DOING I AM CONFUSED I HAD DONE A PATERNITY TEST I DO NOT AGREEE TO THE TEST I CONFESS I HAVE NOT THE BEST DENTAL HYGEINE BUT THE BOYS LOOK LIKE ME SO MUCH ALL MY FACIAL FEATURES PHYSICAL FEATURES HANDS FEET AND ESPECIALLY MY EYES THE PUPIL BEING BLACK BUT EVERYTHING ELSE A BROWN IT IS LIGHTER IN THIER EYES MY MOTHER SAW THEM AS WELL AS MY FAMILY SHE OVER LOOKED THEM FROM HEAD TO TOE AND AGREE THEY SAID THEY ARE THE EXACT SAME AS I WAS I NEVER RECIEVED THE PERCENTAGES JUST HEARD CHILD SUPPORT SAY I AINT WHAT CAN I DO TO REALLY FIND OUT
TROY
Jul 20, 2008 at 5:10 pm
WHEN I TOOK THE SWAB TEST IT DID NOT LOOK AS IF SHE REALLY COLLECTED ANYTHING I SCRAPED THE SIDES OF MY MOUTH NOT MUCH AT ALL CAME OUT WOULD CHILD SUPPORT GIVE WRONG RESULTS TO PREVENT ME FROM GOING AFTER CUSTODY OF THE CHILDREN AND JUST SEEK PAYMENT THEY DID CALL THE DAY BEFORE RESULTS AND SAID THEY WERE CALLING TO SET UP A COURT DATE AND THE NOTICE IS ON ITS WAY FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS I SAID NO I WANT MY PARENTAL RIGHTS AND CUSTODY WOULD THEY COULD THEY HAVE THEY EVER FROM WHAT AS FAR AS YOU KNOW BEEN DIRTY ENOUGH TO DO SO
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