Now how in the world does this relate to DNA? Well, it might be because I work for Identigene and I have become obsessed with DNA! But the movie got me thinking about my dog’s life. I’ve never tested her DNA, but I know common health problems for her breed include hip dysplasia, tumors, thyroid problems and bloat. Knowing these facts helps me decide what food and veterinary care I give her. What if you were like Pfeiffer and didn’t know your pet’s true breed or combination of breeds? There is DNA testing for mixed breed animals that answers these questions for some of the same reasons people seek out DNA testing.

Ahhh, now we’re back to paternity testing. Health and wellness are important benefits of paternity testing. If a child knows both of their biological parents, he/she can be aware of the family health history. Heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer and many other conditions can be linked to heredity. Knowledge is empowering. If we know our family’s health history, we can take preventative measures or make lifestyle changes to improve health and wellness.

Check out WebMD’s slideshow of the top 25 dog breeds and their most common health problems. http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/ss/slideshow-dog-breed-health-problems

DNA Paternity Testing

You’ve sent in your samples now for the results….We’ve received some excellent questions recently about reading Identigene’s Results Statement. We want you to trust and feel confident that you understand the wording of the Results Statement.

According to accreditation guidelines, Identigene is required to word the results statement a certain way. Unfortunately, we cannot deliver the results with the exact words “You ARE the father” or “You are NOT the father”.

To simplify the statement, please look at the formula below:

“John Doe (insert alleged father’s name) is excluded as the biological father of James Doe (insert child’s name) = “YOU ARE NOT THE FATHER”.

OR

“John Doe is not excluded as the biological father of James Doe” = “YOU ARE THE FATHER”.

Secondly, the results statement will provide DNA profiles for further explanation. Remember, this is the data that our laboratory used to determine the results – “excluded” or “not excluded” or simply “you are not the father” or “you are the father”. The cheek cells provide our laboratory with a set of DNA markers (up to 15). These markers are used for identifying individuals. The “locus” or marker location shows two alleles (numbers) for each person tested. These numbers represent a “gene” that has genetically passed down to the person – one from the biological mother and one from the biological father.

According to genetics, a child MUST have one matching number to the father in each “locus”. In some cases, there are natural mutations where the child has a slightly higher or lower value than the father but these are rare. *If the alleged father is “excluded” aka “not the father”, they might have sharing numbers in certain “loci” (the singular form of locus) but to be determined the biological father, they would need to have sharing numbers in EACH loci.

At the end of the results statement, you will see a Combined Percentage Index (CPI). This number needs to be 100 or greater to be determined the biological father. When the percentage is 100 or greater, the probability (scientific chance) that you are the father will be 99% or greater.

Identigene recommends submitting the mother’s cheek swabs along with the child and alleged father’s check swabs. This helps strengthen the probability of paternity if there happens to be natural mutations in the DNA alleles of the child.

If for some reason Identigene has questions about your results, they will contact you and send you additional swabs for free so that you can resubmit your test swabs.

We hope this helps simplify and summarize your results statement. As always, please feel free to call us at 1-888-404-GENE.

You might be wondering why we highlighted this B&B story. At Identigene, we acknowledge there are situations where a mother cannot wait the 9 months and needs paternity answers while carrying the baby. The main challenge is getting the DNA samples from the fetus safely. The two procedures used to test for abnormalities in developing fetuses are the same two used to collect prenatal DNA – CVS (Chronic Villus Sampling) and Amniocentesis.

CVS is where the doctor inserts a needle through the abdomen or cervix and takes a sample of the placenta tissue. It can be performed from about 10 weeks to 13 weeks pregnant.

Amniocentesis is available at about 14 weeks pregnant. In this procedure, a doctor inserts a needle through the abdomen into the uterus and takes a sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus.

They are both considered generally safe but do carry the risks of miscarriage, infection, bleeding or cramping. According to the Mayo Clinic, the miscarriage risk for CVS is about 1 in 100. The risk increases if the needle goes in through the cervix rather than the abdominal wall. The risks are slightly less for an Amnio, which carries a miscarriage risk between 1 in 300 and 1 in 500.

If you are in this situation and cannot wait until after childbirth, please talk with your obstetrician about prenatal DNA testing.

This month, there’s trouble in Salem surrounding Dr. Daniel Jonas’ identity. It started with Maggie’s stolen eggs from a bogus medical storage facility. Unbeknownst to her, her eggs were implanted into another female associated with the Days of Our Lives family. Sweet Alice, now deceased, had done some investigating years ago and planned to inform Maggie of her discovery but never did. The pieces are quickly put together and Maggie realizes Dr. Daniel is her son but he demands a DNA test to prove her maternity. Guess what – It’s a match! All these new revelations might brew up paternity questions too! You could see Days exhume Daniel’s dead dad’s body to possibly reveal he isn’t the father and it is really Victor (Maggie’s new husband)! You can only imagine the drama that will come….it wasn’t too long ago that Daniel himself was proving he wasn’t Chloe’s baby’s daddy.

Just in case this storyline drew up some questions in your mind, we tried to think of some for you and provide the answers.

Can you use the Identigene DNA Paternity test to prove maternity? Yes. You can use the same drugstore kit. We compare and match the genetic profile of the child and the alleged mother the same as we do for an alleged father.

Why do people store eggs and embryos? It is necessary to harvest several eggs for IVF treatment because the more eggs you can harvest the greater chance you have for fertilization success. In some cases, a couple may decide to freeze some of their fertilized embryos for future use. Causes like woman’s age, specific infertility issues pertaining to the couple, as well as the woman’s past history of pregnancy can influence this decision.

What is IVF? The process of fertilization by manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. When it is successful (fertilization occurs and the developmental process begins), the process is combined with embryo transfer, physically placing the embryo in the uterus.

We need to tell you the details that were dramatized to make such great TV.  First, our test kit contains three packs of swabs–one for mother, one for child and one for alleged father. True, our laboratory is capable of extracting DNA from toothbrushes, strands of hair, and other interesting items, but a simple cheek swab is all we need to identify paternity.  Second, we require an adult to provide consent if a child is tested. …

Back to the story:  Unfortunately, it is without a happy ending. The father doesn’t embrace the boy and emotions spin out of control resulting in a tragic ending for one of the characters. We give kudos to SVU for raising awareness about home paternity testing and showcasing the gamut of emotions that surround paternity.

You can watch the episode here.  http://www.nbc.com/law-and-order-special-victims-unit/video/blood-brothers/1360201