Guest Post by Vicki of  the blog “Just a MINute Mom“

We were a blended family with 6 children, including 3 grown sons when we decided to adopt back in 2006. We found our first precious daughter in China, aged 3 years and brought her home in October 2006. We were totally in love.

In adopting we learned more of the Chinese culture and the difficulties the older orphaned children from China faced. So once again, we decided to add an older girl, our wonderful Chloe, aged 13 ½ years in Feb 2009. We had been blessed to receive grants to complete her adoption as she was our 8^thchild.

Little did I know when I headed to China to bring her home we were about to get a shock of our life. When receiving Chloe I was handed a police report about when she was found. It stated she was found with 2 other children and I knew this was not typical. So I asked, “who are these other children?”

My question was met with silence until our guide asked my new daughter and she said “my brothers.” Well, can you imagine my shock? My mind was racing- what? How? Why were we not told? Where these REALLY her brothers or just boys she was close to and called her brothers? So many questions.

Chloe with one brother (Chance) while still in China Jan 2009

We proceeded on with the adoption requirements for Chloe and gave word to the guide to inquire about the “brothers”, the many questions we had. We learned the boys were both at the orphanage, they were known to be a sibling group at the orphanage but when found, were not reported as siblings, therefore creating a legal difficulty in proving they were siblings now, so many years later.

We did not feel this was right, our daughter was so sweet and willing to come to us, we didn’t begin to understand how. How did she make peace with leaving them? Did the brothers know for her it was the chance for a family, so they accepted losing her forever? Did they look at the pictures we sent her over the months of waiting for her paperwork to be done, of our older grown sons and think we had enough boys, thus didn’t “want “ them?

We left word that we did want both these boys as we came home, being unable to bring them at her adoption time due to immigration laws. I told our new daughter, “we will come back for them, I promise.”

As soon as we were home, we were able to apply for the first brother, having been given information where his adoption file was. We received pre- approval and proceeded with our paperwork to meet requirements, we were again deeply blessed by the generous help of many adoptive families to make the fee requirements. Our concern was the other brother’s adoption. We did not meet the financial requirements and were over the “number of minor children in the home” for bringing both boys home and we had no official proof to claim the sibling bond of these children.

We KNEW these children had to grow up together. As Chloe, by this time was learning English she told us she never believed we really would go back for the boys. We could only imagine what the brothers in China were thinking as well. So as we realized that we needed proof of their relationship, as originally asked for in China, to aid in our quest to get these boys home.

But how? We didn’t have spare funds. I said a prayer and sent off an e-mail. This ended up bringing us to Identigene. We were so thankful when they contacted us with a “please LET us help!” It was just amazing to us, they sent kits, the tests were sent in and when the results came in just DAYS later, a phone call to Marilyn aided my shaking hands to the right page for the results. She “sat” with me, as I cried, could hardly speak, for there in front of me was answer this momma’s heart KNEW would be there. All 3 children- biological siblings. No doubts.

Chloe at home Jan 2010, not so patiently waiting to go get her brothers

Without this wonderful gift from Identigene we would not be able to say that as of today, we are just weeks away, with paperwork cleared for one brother and the other one’s paperwork on the way. These 3 children, who suffered being abandoned in China years ago, only had one another to count on, will be able to grow up together. We will travel to bring them home soon.

Brothers in August 2009 with cake we sent them (bigger brother is Chase, little one is Chance)

They will not go to bed hungry ever again once home and best of all, they all three will have a mom, dad, more siblings and a life filled with LOVE. Cherished as our sons and daughter, siblings forever more within our family.

We can only thank Identigene for the most precious gift anyone could be given, a future for not one, but TWO special orphan boys, now our sons.

“You can’t change the world by adopting an orphan, but for that orphan, you have changed THEIR world. “ Unknown

AskKate Question of the Week:

Question: Can my DNA test keep me from getting health insurance?

Many people worry that DNA test results could prevent them from getting health insurance – or even a job – if the results show predisposition to certain diseases.  They fear genetic discrimination from employers and insurers will lead to a GATTACA future where DNA plays the primary role in determining social class and where genetic “In-Valids” are summarily dismissed and abandoned.

In 2008, the New York Times highlighted consumer determination that “something needs to be done so you cannot be discriminated against.”  Insurance companies argue that they are “not interested in any way, shape or form in discriminating based on a genetic marker.”  Yet, congress enacted the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) as a specific protection against such prejudice (signed into law in 2008 and effective November 21, 2009).

Debate continues as to whether or not such laws are necessary or effective.  But where does DNA paternity testing fit into the question?

When FBI geneticists began researching DNA identification through its now-famous CODIS project, they shared similar concerns.  They (wisely) began looking for genetic markers that could tell us about identity without telling us anything else.  The answer?  Junk DNA.

Junk DNA, or non-coding DNA, are genetic markers that don’t seem to do much aside from getting passed on from parent to child.  They aren’t linked to eye color, muscular fitness, or your grandmother’s crooked nose – and they can’t tell us anything about heart disease, leukemia, or even obesity. In short, junk DNA is useless for medical science, but still tells us everything we need to know about identification and biological relationships; it’s perfect for the FBI – and for paternity tests.

In the US, a paternity test commonly uses up to15 genetic markers: any or all of the 13 CODIS markers and one or two other junk DNA markers developed by paternity testing labs.  This means that a DNA test can answer questions about paternity without even looking at questions about inherited diseases.  DNA paternity test results today can only be used for one purpose: paternity.  The results are useless to anyone trying to discriminate based on genetics; to them, the DNA is just … junk.

I have been reading about this story for days, and I am still in disbelief.  If you have not heard in late July a woman, Darlene Haynes, was found dead in her apartment in Worchester, MA.  The medical examiner then determined that the woman was eight months pregnant and the child had been removed from her womb before or after being killed.

I have read numerous articles about the forth coming court proceedings to determine custody.  The courts have for the time decided that the child and the woman’s 18 month old remain in protective court custody for at least another month.  The alleged father of the baby, Roberto C. “Tito’’ Rodriguez, is petitioning for some kind of custody with family courts.  As we all know this will require paternity testing.

Come to think of it the child in question will likely need a DNA maternity test to determine if she is in fact related to Haynes.  Although, it is likely that it would come back with a positive result as the child was found in custody of Julie A. Corey, a friend of Haynes.  It is said by those close to her that Corey was trying to pass this child off as her own.  After questioning Corey was charged with being a fugitive from authorities.  They have not yet charged her with the homicide, but the investigation is still underway.

It was equally disturbing when I tried to locate news stories regarding this case.  I simply entered baby stolen from womb and was bombarded with results.  Most of these results did not even pertain to this case the case in Massachusetts.  There were stories from Oregon and Pennsylvania as well. It boggles my mind this idea of harming another person to steal an unborn child.  Sometimes I still feel naive about how others treat another human life.

I plan to follow this case as long as the media finds it news worthy.  It is truly one story that gives me the chills every time I read even the headlines.  Anyone else?

Today I stumbled upon an article on the Time’s website.  Thought I would pass on the link.  http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1905706,00.html It is amazing to me how far we have come in such a short time.  DNA Testing has become necessary for not only criminal cases, but paternity and child support cases around the globe require a conclusive DNA Paternity Test.

The history of DNA Testing for paternity cases is just as rich, and IDENTIGENE has expanded that history by bringing peace of mind testing to pharmacies near you.  When I started working here in March of 2006 I never would have guessed that we would be in every major pharmacy in such a short time.  What is next?

Today on Fox News it was reported that two fraternal twins came from different fathers.  How you may ask?  I recommend reading the article for more details on this part, it is a great read.  My main question was not about the how but about another detail they mentioned.  You see, in the article they also state this is a DNA rarity.  This idea sounded strange to me.  I knew I had heard about this happening before.  I decided to ask our associate lab director, David Einum, if he knew more.

He stated that in recent years he had reported more cases involving this phenomenon, and not likely because it is happening more frequently, mind you.  Rather, he feels that the rise in the volume of paternity and other relationship DNA tests performed across America has increased the commonality of finding this and other DNA rarities. At IDENTIGENE we have seen this increase of paternity tests, and our volume of other testing has increased as well.  We feel that this is due in part to the release of our DNA Paternity Kit at retails stores nationwide.  On May 11, 2009 announced more information on this new way of doing business in this fast paced and growing field.

Still curious about how this all works?  If you have any questions about paternity or DNA please feel free to comment, email me directly at kstyer@identigene.com, or call 801-462-1465. If I do not know the answer myself I will find the answer and get back to you.

We are working on releasing more ways to connect to other people who have similar questions. Stay tuned to the DNA Community section of our website.

Also, you can follow me on twitter (@AskKate) or facebook by searching for Ask Kate in Utah.

Believe it or not this is a question that comes up a lot.  Most people are extremely concerned that results will be incorrect if the two alleged fathers in the case are related.  I am writing this to clarify why this possibility is extremely unlikely.

Sometimes when people are asking about this they are asking about alleged fathers who are only cousins.  Whether they are first cousins or a relationship more distant this type of relationship is distant enough that the DNA they do have in common will not cause any type of conflict with a paternity test.  So, in this type of scenario there is no need to be overly concerned if both fathers cannot be tested.

People will also call about two alleged fathers who are brothers.  The possibility of this causing problems with the results of a paternity test is higher but not by a lot.  Two people who are full brothers still have very unique DNA profiles.

It is extremely unlikely that two people who are only siblings would match the same child at all the markers tested for paternity.  In a paternity test we generally test fifteen markers and in order to be considered the father one must match at all fifteen. 

To ensure the most accurate  results possible we recommend including both alleged fathers and the biological mother whenever feasible.  This will give us all the opportunity to exclude the correct father and provide ensure the most accurate and complete results. 

If we are not able to test both alleged fathers its important to let us know when you send in the samples that the other alleged father is a brother to the one being tested.  This way we know ahead of time that there may be some markers in common that may not be the case if the alleged fathers were not related.

The only exception to this rule is when the alleged fathers are identical twins.  In this scenario DNA testing will not be able to indicate which of the alleged fathers is in fact the biological father of the child.  So, I hope that this blog helps sets a few fears straight.  If not please feel free to email me at kstyer@identigene.com or call at: 801-462-1465.

In the years that I have offered support to DNA Paternity Test clients I have given out hundreds of results.  The reaction to the results can be anywhere on a wide spectrum of emotion.

I have heard cries of joy, eruptions of anger, and absolute silence to both possible results.  People constantly surprise me in their reactions. In these times I work to be as sensitive as possible to how impactful the next words out of my mouth will be for the customer.

At IDENTIGENE we are working to make this process as streamlined, accurate, and reliable as possible.  A long with the science side of things our client support team is always striving to be knowledgeable, understanding, and sensitive.  We hear many people’s stories of what brought them to this moment and where they may go from here.

We are now sponsoring a new website to provide a space for people to share stories of ALL kinds.  We have posted many stories so far of individuals who have dealt with the worries of adoption, those searching for their fathers through impossible odds, and many others.  We would like our customers to feel free to share their stories of DNA testing and how these moments have impacted their lives.

You can find this website at:  www.MyStoryRelated.com.  I hope that you enjoy the stories told there, and that maybe a few of you feel inspired to share a story of your own.

Part of what keeps my job interesting is the odd, interesting, difficult, and just plain weird questions people have about DNA.  I thought I would take a second to share a few and their answers (if they can be answered).

Question: “If I send you my DNA and a copy of my birth certificate can you tell me if that is really where I was born?”

Answer: Unfortunately, your DNA does not contain any information about your birthplace.  Okay, this one has only come up once.  At the time I was extremely dumbfounded.  Honestly, I am still at a loss as to the logic on this one.

Question: “Can you tell if someone does drugs by testing their DNA?”

Answer: No, we cannot.  This is a more common question than you might expect.  Also, we cannot see alcoholism in your DNA either.

Question: “I was sick with the flu when I swabbed.  Will this change my results?”

Answer: No, your DNA is not affected by virus or bacteria.  It is also not impacted by cancer, HIV, or other diseases.

Question: “How old do you have to be to test your DNA?”

Answer: You can test an unborn child’s DNA by sampling the amniotic fluid of the mother.  Meaning, there is no age limit.  You can test a child right after he/she is born.  Your DNA is the same from the time of conception until you die.  And this question is not exactly weird, but it comes up often enough that I thought I would throw it in.

And the weirdest question I have ever heard?

Question: “Is it possible that my DNA is the Da Vinci Code?”

Yes, someone really asked me this, and yes I was able to contain my disbelief and reply.  My reply?  “I am not certain I understand how your DNA may be related to the Da Vinci Code.”

After this the customer abruptly hung up.

DNA is a subject that is not always easy to understand.  So, I wouldn’t hesitate to write or call and ask your questions.  At least you know there has always been someone who has asked something odder, right?

Over the years as I have worked as a Customer Support Rep for Identigene, I have met many people and talked to them about their different situations and stories. Each person’s circumstances involving paternity testing and finding who they are related to are different and each person has their own story to tell. For a long time I have wanted to help people to share their stories with others who may be going through a similar situation. And now with our new blog, www.mystoryrelated.com, people will have that chance.

www.mystoryrelated.com is a collection of stories of people finding the connections and relationships that make up the story of who they are. Whether its a story about finding ones biological father, finding the birth mother that gave you up for adoption, or connecting with ancestors that came before, mystoryrelated allows people to read and share the stories that are a big part of their life.

Please take a moment and visit www.mystoryrelated.com and look through some of the stories. Each one is unique and each week we will post a new story.

If you are interested in sharing your story, please do. I am sure there are other like you who would love to read your story. Click Here if you are interested in sharing your story with the readers of our blog.

Just stopping by to wish everyone a safe and happy evening.

While I am here, I thought I would post a clip I found that amused me.  Desperate Housewives has joined the many TV shows discussing paternity.  It’s a little silly, and I hope you get a chuckle out of it like I did.

Happy New Year everyone.