Paternity test, what is it?

Healthy Food

A DNA paternity test is a genetic analysis that confirms the biological relationship between a man and his child. It is also called a “DNA test”. The result of a paternity test is based on the comparison between the father’s DNA and that of the child. However, it is also possible to do prenatal paternity testing to be sure that the child is yours. In this article, we will review the reasons for performing a paternity test and the results obtained. Paternity testing is being used more and more often and it is now easy to obtain paternity test kits on the internet. However, this practice is still illegal in some countries and is subject to penalties.

Why take a paternity test?

A paternity test is often done in the case of a lawsuit about a parentage dispute, i.e. when the parentage link is contested or when the father has not recognized the child. The judgment may be rendered in several legal actions; a paternity dispute, actions in the context of succession, and immigration actions. Parentage is associated with certain obligations, such as child support or inheritance. Thus, requests for paternity tests are often made by women.

What results can be expected from a paternity test?

Today, paternity testing is done in the vast majority of cases through oral swabs. The other method for a paternity test is blood sampling. Using a swab (cotton swab), the inside of the cheek is rubbed to collect saliva and cells. This quick, non-invasive test then allows the laboratory to extract the DNA and compare the “genetic fingerprints” of the people involved.

Reliability of the paternity test

Although the genomes of all human beings are very similar, there are small genetic variations that characterize individuals and that can be passed on to their descendants. These variations, called “polymorphisms”, can be compared. About fifteen markers are generally sufficient to establish a relationship between two people, with a certainty of close to 100%. Thus, with an accredited laboratory, the results of the paternity test are very reliable. The man who wishes to take a paternity test will have to pay for the test. Generally, the price of a paternity test is between 500 and 1,000 euros.