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Before you can understand the importance of paternity
testing, you must first understand the DNA element
involved and why DNA is used to establish paternity. DNA
is the pattern for your genetic makeup. Each and every
person has a different pattern of DNA. However, persons
belonging to certain ethnic backgrounds, certain races,
or simply certain features, can have DNA that shows
related characteristics. No two people, except for
identical twins will have the same DNA.
Every person has 46 chromosomes in each cell. The
only exceptions are the sperm and egg cells. They each
have 23. At the moment of conception, however, the 23
chromosome from the sperm and egg combine to form 46,
and at that moment, you have the chromosomes needed to
create a new person. This pattern for your genetic
makeup is a combination of maternal DNA and paternal
DNA. In other words, half your makeup is your mother’s
and half is your father’s. Now, since the mother would
be the person giving birth, there is no dispute about
maternal proof. She was there at birth. But what about
paternal proof? How do you determine the identity of the
father, without a shred of doubt?
Enter DNA paternity testing. DNA testing works in the
following way. The DNA of the child is tested. A test
strip of DNA “bands” is established. The DNA is then
tested from the alleged father. If the child and the man
share common “bands” in a number of different locations,
then paternity is established with 99.9 percent
accuracy. That is as accurate as the results can be.
This is a seemingly simple test, to have such a
staggering effect on the people’s lives that are
involved. Entire families have been ripped apart over
paternity issues. Lives have been forever changed,
thanks to one little DNA test.
Today, paternity testing is utilized to decide
custody cases, establish legitimate child support cases,
influence adoption proceedings, and to aid in claiming
inheritance by providing proof of relationship. By far,
however, the largest use of DNA testing is in
determining paternity issues. Most courts accept 99.9
percent positive as equal to a result of 100%.
There are tests available that can be used at home,
but in the case of a legal battle, or establishing legal
paternity, only the tests conducted by certified and
licensed facilities will be allowed. |
