Paternity Testing

Genetics Center is also offering DNA-based paternity testing. This testing has many benefits, such as high accuracy, ease of specimen collection, and reasonable cost. This test can exclude an alleged father with 100% certainty or include an alleged father with greater than 99.9% accuracy.

Molecular-based paternity testing is based on the fact that each individual has a unique genetic blueprint known as DNA. One-half of an individual’s DNA comes from their mother and one-half from their father. DNA is found in virtually every cell in the body, so testing can be performed on many different specimen types. Blood is the most common specimen type due to ease of collection and ease of DNA extraction. The volume of blood required for testing is quite small, so this specimen type can be easily and safely collected from adults as well as children and newborns. To obtain the best results, blood samples (3 cc’s) should be obtained from the child, the alleged father, and the mother. Paternity testing can also be performed prenatally (prior to birth) using cultured amniotic cells or chorionic villi.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding DNA-based paternity testing or if you wish to schedule a blood draw, please contact us.