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

The survey, which was commissioned by Identigene, the largest direct-to-consumer DNA paternity testing laboratory and makers of the Identigene DNA Paternity Test, reveals that more than one in ten (11 percent) adults ages 18 years and older said they have personally been in a situation where a paternity test was appropriate, and nearly one in five (18 percent) said that they or a close friend or family member have questioned paternity. 

The results of the survey help to uncover the prevalence of paternity questions in the U.S., as well as adults’ intentions to identify biological fathers in the New Year. Fifty-one percent of adults with paternity questions either plan to address their question in 2012 or would like to, but are not sure where to start. Men with paternity questions are twice as likely (51  percent) than women (25 percent) to address paternity in 2012.

New Year Prompts Action

The research helps to confirm a trend Identigene has noticed since it launched the Identigene DNA Paternity Test in retail pharmacies in 2007. Each year the company experiences a spike in first quarter sales, something it attributes, in part, to New Year’s resolutions.

“The new year definitely seems to trigger many adults with paternity questions to take steps to address their question,” says Steven Smith, executive director for Identigene. “We want adults with paternity issues to know they are not alone and there are many others looking for answers, too. But most importantly, it’s vital for them to know that addressing a paternity question is not only a responsible step to take, but a thoughtful and caring decision, as determining paternity can provide many valuable benefits for all involved.”

Why Knowing Is Important

Although the specific reasoning for paternity testing varies from person to person, the benefits of confirming paternity are multifaceted and far reaching. In the survey, three in four adults (77 percent) said they believe it’s important for a child to know their biological father. From emotional and health benefits to financial welfare, paternity answers can have many important and positive impacts for children. “Knowledge is empowering,” says Smith. “It’s important for children and families to know the truth about paternity, as it can impact a child’s health as well as their emotional health and well-being
for years to come.”

DNA

It is thought that our ancient ancestors originated from Africa and began migrating throughout the world and adapted to new environments, thus creating distinct groups and subgroups in our DNA lineage. These ancient ancestral groupings are known as haplogroups. It is these haplogroups that allow DNA laboratories to provide people with results on their ethnic origins.
Our sister company, Sorenson Genomics, has developed a new DNA test dubbed World Wide Ancestry. World Wide Ancestry offers improved technology, enabling anyone to find answers to questions about their earliest family origins. The Sorenson Genomics team has spoken about this new technology at recent industry conferences. It will be available for purchase early next year.
The wonders of DNA never cease to amaze me. My paternity can be determined with a few cheek swabs in a matter of hours. Now, with new science breakthroughs, my DNA will provide surprising detail about my ancient relatives. I can’t wait to share test results with my mom!

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.

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.

Currently, about 42% of 15 to 19 year olds who are unmarried have engaged in sex at least once. On a monthly basis, about 25% are sexually active. Low income, urban youth of color are more likely to engage in sexual behavior at even earlier ages.

The U.S. teen pregnancy rate is at approximately 71.5 per 1,000 teens. It is still much higher than other Western industrialized nations. Pregnancy rates for African American and Hispanic teens are 126 and 127 per 1,000.

Approximately 80% of unmarried teenagers used contraception the first time they had sex, and 68% of unmarried women and 81% of unmarried men, used a condom. At their last time of intercourse, 84% of women and 93% of men used contraception.

Youth aged 15 to 24 accounts for half of the sexually transmitted infections acquired annually, despite comprising only 25% of the total US population. It has been widely reported that a quarter of all teenage girls suffer from some type of STI with one in five becoming infected within  a year of their first sexual encounter. Youth of color are disproportionately affected by STIs, including HIV, across the nation, with chlamydia rates for young African-American women reaching nine times as high as rates for Caucasian youth. African Americans were disproportionately affected by HIV infection, accounting for 55% of all HIV infections.

ISIS study can be read here: http://www.isis-inc.org/techsex_usa.php