The DNA test
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the genetic material present in every cell of the human body. Except in the case of identical multiple births, each individual’s DNA is unique. A child receives half of his or her genetic material (DNA) from the biological mother, and half from the biological father.
DNA paternity testing is the use of DNA profiling (genetic fingerprinting) to determine whether a man and a child or children are biologically related. The test can also determine the likelihood of someone being a biological grandparent to a grandchild. Experts say DNA paternity testing is the most accurate form of paternity testing possible. It is argued that if DNA patterns between a child and the alleged father do not match on two or more DNA probes, then the alleged father can be totally ruled out. If the DNA patterns between mother, child, and the alleged father match on every DNA probe, the likelihood of paternity is 99.9 percent.
To conduct DNA testing, a blood test or a procedure called a Buccal scrap is used. A swab is rubbed vigorously against the inside of the cheek to provide a DNA sample for testing. Children can be tested at any age even while in the womb. Paternity DNA testing can even be done on an umbilical cord blood specimen at birth. Since DNA is the same in every cell of the human body, the accuracy of testing performed on cheek cells utilizing the Buccal swab is the same as an actual blood sample.
Saturday Vanguard established that the science behind determining a child’s father has come to stay and in many instances, it is a lifesaver.
Experts at major centres offering DNA testing facilities such as DNA Centre, Synlab, and Paternity Test Nigeria, confirm the high rate of tests that turn out negative. A forensic geneticist told Saturday Vanguard that about 3 out of 10 men that undergo paternity tests are not biological fathers of their children. He warned that the implications are often potentially serious and significantly damaging to parties involved.
According to the geneticist, DNA testing is currently the most advanced and accurate technology to determine parentage.
“In a DNA parentage test, the result (called the probability of parentage) is zero percent when the alleged parent is not biologically related to the child and the probability of parentage is typically 99.99 percent when the alleged parent is biologically related to the child.
“However, while almost all individuals have a single and distinct set of genes, rare individuals, known as “chimeras”, have at least two different sets of genes, which can result in a false negative result if their reproductive tissue has a different genetic make-up from the tissue sampled for the test.”
Basically, a DNA test is performed by collecting buccal cells found on the inside of the cheek using a buccal swab or cheek swab. The collector rubs the inside of the cheek to collect as many buccal cells as possible and the cells are then sent to a laboratory for testing.
Saturday Vanguard gathered that technically a birth certificate is not proof of paternity when compared to a DNA test. “No doubt a birth certificate is an important identification tool, however, it is not recognised as a legal document to establish paternity.
“If a child is not born within a marriage or the parents do not sign a paternity affidavit, a father can only ensure rights and obligations as a parent by filing a paternity lawsuit to obtain Petition to Establish Paternity. According to legal counsel, if a father alleges that a minor (under 18) is his or a vice versa, a DNA test may demanded to prove or disprove the claim all in the interest of the child.
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