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

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

While this is not a service offered by IDENTIGENE, it is out there.   Apparently, DNA Testing is used in cattle farming for many reasons.  For example, a farmer may test new cattle for paternity in a multiple bull breeding pasture.   Reasons for this include determining whether a bull is not breeding as often as others or which bull is producing bulls with ‘defects.’

Other farmers have been known to test the DNA of their cattle to curb out poor traits before breeding them.  There are a few major traits being tested for currently, one is curly calf syndrome.  This type of DNA Testing is done in an attempt to ensure that only the best cattle are reproducing.

While this testing in cattle may in fact produce a better crop of cows, it is eerily familiar.  I know its a reach from cattle DNA testing to a world like GATTACA, but I always get a little curious as to how far eugenics will take our society with DNA testing in its tool box.   But then again I think too much.

Even without this theory in mind the idea that we are using this type of testing for our cattle and various crops is extremely interesting, at least to me.  Really, where will we go next?  Any thoughts or questions?

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?

As always if there are any questions, concerns, or feedback feel free to comment.

You can also follow me on twitter.com (@askkate) or friend me on facebook.com search for Ask Kate in Utah.

Have a great weekend, and I look forward to hearing from everyone.

I found a few videos, and I was intrigued at the level of interest I found.  Apparently, the DNA test is supposed to be able to tell you the breed of your dog.  I found a few skeptics out there. I am really interested about the science behind all of this, but I cannot find much as far as that goes.    Has anyone used this type of test?  What did you think? I don’t have a dog, or I think I would try it out myself.

A few customers have stayed in touch over the years, and I know that the results of their Paternity Tests have definitely made an impact on their paths.  When I first started working in client support, I spoke with a woman who needed a paternity test on her son, who had passed away, and a child who was conceived shortly before his death.

She was very distraught and would call and email me several times a day.  She emailed me pictures of herself, her son, and the new child.  We discussed the things that would change in her life if this was in fact her grandchild.  Apparently, she didn’t feel the mother of the child was fit to care for the child.  Though she was nervous because she wasn’t sure at her age, 62, she could care for a newborn.

Finally, when her test results were ready she cried.  She wasn’t ready to hear them.  Either way she knew her life was changed forever. It was her son’s child.  For weeks I would hear from her about the court battles over custody and support.

Soon the emails started only coming in every few months.  She had won full custody of the child, and her life was dramatically different.  I still look forward to hearing from her.  The child is almost 18 months old now.

I am not sure I will ever fully understand the magnitude of paternity test results, but I do know I have enjoyed meeting people as they have traveled through what often times can be an exciting and difficult journey.