DNA Testing : What You Should Know About DNA Testing
DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid is the genetic material present in the cells of a living being. Every nucleated cell has 46 chromosomes, apart from the sperm cells from the man and the egg of the woman that only contain 23 chromosomes.
The DNA paternity test is done to prove whether a child is the daughter or son of a person by making a comparison of the DNA of both the parents. There are different companies that provide services for paternity testing. Generally, there are three kinds of testing companies that offer the test. The first kind are those companies which specialize in testing and have their own testing lab to perform the test. In the second category, there are those companies that provide service of others like a broker. In the third category, there are laboratories which perform the paternity test as a side job.
DNA testing is also frequently used by forensic crime labs. The tiniest sample of DNA from a crime scene can be replicated using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to create a larger sample made of identical DNA. This DNA can then be compared to samples from the victim, witnesses and suspects. Forensic DNA testing does not generally look at the whole strand of DNA. Instead the tester looks for matches at several locations, called loci.
DNA testing is a very simple and affordable process. Various stages are involved in DNA testing. It is necessary to obtain the DNA samples that have to be verified. DNA testing requires only a few drops of blood or cheek cell specimens obtained by rubbing the inside of the mouth with a swab. Most companies provide a free kit to collect these samples at home.
Even though DNA testing requires a lab, somewhat sterile conditions and expensive equipment, it is available to everyone through a DNA testing kit. You can buy the kit online or at the local drugstore. Swab the cheeks of the people being tested and mail the kit in to the lab. The results are mailed to you in just a few weeks. However, if you need to prove a DNA relationship for a legal purpose such as establishing paternity) you will be to be tested in person by laboratory employees who observe a legal chain of custody with the samples and results.