We re-designed the site to make it easier to read and make it faster for you to find the information you are looking for.

Paternity Tests:

The PharmacyFinder provides addresses and directions to the nearest pharmacy carrying the IDENTIGENE Home Paternity Test Kit.

Not sure if you need a home paternity test or if you need to order a court-admissible, legal paternity test? This section explains the differences and gives you a link to purchase a legal paternity test online from our new online ordering system.  Maybe you need prenatal paternity testing? You will also find that information here.

Questions & Answers:

Browse our FAQs for the answer to your question. Search by topic or views and use the star rating system to let us know which answers where most helpful. If you don’t see your question, use the form provided to send a message directly to one of our Paternity Test Consultants.

The Question & Answer section also contains instructions on how to use the kit, how to read and understand your test results,  and even a brief explanation of the DNA testing process.

More Tests:

That’s right. We test other relationships, too. Testing grandparents, aunts, uncles, even siblings can provide answers to paternity questions when the alleged father isn’t available for testing. All these  DNA relationship tests are available for purchase online.

About IDENTIGENE:

Did you know that IDENTIGENE is a fully accredited, DNA testing lab? Under this tab you can learn about the IDENTIGENE Paternity Testing Laboratory, view copies of IDENTIGENE’s Lab certifications, and learn about the company and its partners.

Community:

I’m excited to be able to connect with site visitors via this tab. Here you will find links to this blog, our Paternity Testing Forum, and customer stories about their experience with DNA Paternity Testing. You can also connect with us by using the “Ask a DNA Test Consultant” form to get answers to your paternity test questions.

Launching this new site has been a big project, and we’re already making the list of future improvements. I’d love your feedback on the site. Is there anything missing that YOU would like to know about Paternity Testing?

At first, there is the tendency by most people to join the mob and participate in the amusement of the whole scene.  But when we take a second and step back and look at the situation as a whole, we realize that these are people lives that we are talking about and that the results of the test are so much more than a cheap way to entertain a crowd.

Over the years, I have witnessed a lot of stories about people using paternity testing, sibling testing and other forms of DNA testing to find out who they are and who they are or are not related to.  Entertaining a crowd is not usually on the list of reasons why someone wants to take a test.

Most often, the reasons for getting the test revolve around peace of mind and knowing the truth.  And the interesting thing about knowing the truth is that it helps people make decisions.  Once they have the facts, people are able to make the decision that affect the rest of their lives.  Whether that decision is to connect with the father you never knew, to meet the 6 siblings you didn’t know you had, to continue school now that you know the baby isn’t yours, or to continue paying child support even after finding out you are NOT the biological father because you care about the child( I have seen this happen), knowing the truth always seems to make those decisions easier.

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?

This brings up some questions that I am often asked.

-  How difficult is it to determine between two brothers, the paternity of a single child?
-  Does testing two brothers decrease the accuracy or probability of the test?

The truth is DNA testing is very accurate and unless the brothers are identical twins, the test will accurately reveal which one is the father.  The biological father’s profile must match the child at ALL locations (loci) tested (usually 15 markers).  It’s extremely unlikely that a brother would match a niece at all loci (unless he’s an identical twin to the brother, then their genetic profiles will be exactly the same as his brother and you cannot tell which one is the father).

In cases like this, we recommend testing both brothers (both alleged fathers) and including the biological mother.  By including the mothers DNA, we can identify which markers in the child’s DNA came from mom and focus on the DNA that must have come from dad.  If both brothers are tested with the biological mother, one will emerge as the biological father without question.

Any two people tested, even if unrelated, will likely share at least SOME markers in common (1, 2, 10), but a biological father and child will share ALL markers tested.  If only one brother is tested and the mother is NOT tested, there is a possibility (extremely small) that he could match the child at all locations.  This rare case could occur because he is genetically related as an uncle and because he randomly matches the child as any two people might.  This would make him appear as though he were the biological father.  Including the mother, testing additional markers/loci, and testing the other brother will identify more mismatches between the brother/uncle and child and show stronger matches between brother/father and child.

In there eyes there are too many cases of men paying child support who do not need to be.  This is a frustrating and large problem that can possibly be prevented by DNA Paternity Testing before support decisions are made.  An example of an advocacy group working tirelessly to prevent and stop “fathers” being required to pay for children that are not their own is the US-CAPF (United States Citizens Against Paternity Fraud).  Their website is www.paternityfraud.com.

I have been reading about this subject for quite a few months, and I do find the trend of mothers naming the incorrect person as the father just to get child support very troubling.  At the same time while reading on this topic I still find the same amount of articles about men dodging paying child support in cases where they are known to be the father of child.  This is as much a fraud of paternity as anything the previous articles describe.  One such article was about a gentleman who attempted to cheat official child support payments by enlisting someone to do that paternity DNA test for him.  You can read more here: http://www.dailyamerican.com/articles/2008/09/13/news/state/s_news258.txt.

Paternity fraud is an issue that plagues not only American courts but courts world wide.  What is the answer?  Mandatory paternity testing at birth?  It is my belief that this is not the answer.  But then what is?  Unfortunately, I am not certain there is one.

At IDENTIGENE we strive to help provide answers for all types of questions that require DNA testing.  If you have questions regarding paternity or other relationships please feel free to contact us to assist you in starting the DNA Testing process.  You can reach a DNA Testing Expert by calling 1-888-404-4363.  You can also contact me at 801-462-1465 or kstyer@identigene.com.

The names of these systems are listed on the report.  An example of one is D2S1338.  These names were determined by those that discovered them.  Each person has two genes at each marker.  On your DNA Test result you will sometimes note that there is only one number listed.  This means that at this marker a person has two of the same.  For example, if at the D2S1338 a person has two 8s the report will only show it once.

In the case of a DNA Paternity Test the alleged father must match at least one of these numbers at each of the fifteen markers.  Without matches at each position he can be excluded as the biological father of the child. As mentioned in an earlier post having the biological mother included with each DNA test will strengthen the results of your test.

The last marker on a DNA Test is the AMEL (short for amelogenin) gene.  This is the gene that indicates a person gender.  This is not generally related to the actual results of a DNA Test.

I hope this explains a little of how the numbers on our DNA Testing reports work.  If anyone has ANY questions please feel free to ask.  Also, there is a page on our website with more information on how to interpret results: http://www.dnatesting.com/resources/dnaResults.php.

Choosing the right DNA test was hard for me. I called all the 1-800 #’s , searched online. Then a friend told me about the Rite Aid test. I did some research and thought that it was right for me. I bought the test and then mailed it in. It took me 10 business days (including mailing time for the samples) and I had my results. I am Very pleased with my experience. Not only was it fast and painless, it was cheap in comparison to the $400. the other companys wanted. So thank you Identigene.”

This is one of many accounts of customers I hear from weekly.  We are not a perfect company and there is always room for improvement.  We work constantly to improve our processes and need customer input to make this happen.  I would love to hear from other customers like this one or those who have had other less positive experiences with IDENTIGENE.  You can reach me at my work phone number 801-462-1465 or by email at kstyer@identigene.com

DNA Testing and more specifically, Paternity Testing is a purchase that raises a lot of questions and even more concerns.  The need for a Paternity Test may just be the beginning of the many worries that may be on your mind right now.  Whether it is for you or for a friend you need someone you can trust to talk through all the questions you have about DNA Testing.  Any one of our amazing client support members can be just that.  They have received extensive product training and are there just to help you.  They can listen to your story and help you select the best DNA test for you.  You can reach them by calling 1-888-404-4363 or 1-800-DNA-TYPE (362-8973).

Its possible that you do not want to speak to someone directly or that you may want the opinion of customers who have already purchased their test or received their results.  You can ask a DNA Consultant by completing the form on our DNA Community page at: http://www.dnatesting.com/dna-community/, or you can post these types of concerns or questions on our DNA Testing Forum at: http://www.dnatesting.com/dna-testing-forum/.

I know I said I would talk more about the Personal DNA Paternity Test today.  I just wanted to post about the many options you have to ask your questions or voice your concerns. Tomorrow, I will break down the at home paternity test a little more.

This process does required an invasive procedure performed by the mother’s OB/Gyn.  The mother in this case must be at least ten weeks along.  Between the tenth and twelfth weeks the procedure that must be performed is called a CVS (Chorionic villus sampling).  After the twelfth week and before the twenty-first week an Amniocentisis would be required to collect the sample for testing.   Because both of these procedures can pose significant risk in a pregnancy IDENTIGENE does not recommend these procedures when Paternity is the only question.  I would recommend consulting with your doctor or genetic counselor for more advice about these procedures and their potential risks.

After the sample for the child is collected to complete the DNA Testing a sample for the alleged father and mother must be collected with our cheek swabs.  This type of DNA Paternity test will generally take two to four weeks to complete once we have received your samples.  You can find more information about this type of DNA testing on our website at: http://www.dnatesting.com/dna-paternity-testing/prenatal-paternity-test.php.

While this DNA Test is not used as frequently as others it can be invaluable in resolving the questions that may be keeping you or a loved one up at night.   Next time, I will write more about the most common test we perform.  The DNA Paternity Test for peace of mind.  In the mean time if you have any questions or have ideas about DNA Testing topics you would like to hear more about send me an email at: kstyer@identigene.com