Why Do A Paternity Test?

By Author: Glenn Farrier
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Paternity Testing is the result of progress and intensive research in genetic science. The test is done in order to determine the real father of a child; in other words, the biological father. There are different factors that impact your decision to go for such tests, for example just for your own peace of mind or to get financial support or legal recognition of the child’s paternity.

The crucial factor behind such test is to ensure the proper well-being of the child as well as mother and to protect the father’s rights over the child. A paternity test might be used to change the name on a birth certificate or to force the biological father of the child to provide payments which will contribute to the child’s upbringing and education.

Legal paternity testing or peace of mind?

Peace of mind testing, or at home paternity testing, can be done to clear any doubts and find an answer to that tormenting and lingering question “is this child really mine or does it belong to another man?” Unfortunately, whilst results of a paternity test can bring resolution they also have implications upon families, leading ...
... to marital breakup. Whilst it becomes indispensible to go ahead with the DNA test once the seeds of doubt have been planted, it is important to fully consider the possible after effects.

Legal testing can be done once you have confirmed that the child you thought was your own child is actually not. If you are registered as the child’s biological father, than you will need to go to court. Many DNA testing companies offer legally validated tests- but it is crucial to note that the judge may choose not to accept the results of the test depending on the circumstances.

Categorization of Paternity test

Prenatal Paternity test: This test is conducted during the pregnancy or before the birth of the infant. The two tests under this category are Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling where the needle is inserted into the mother’s womb using ultrasound to collect the DNA sample. But now you have access to new technology in which doctor’s get baby’s DNA samples from the mother’s bloodstream.

Postnatal test: As the name suggests, this test is conducted after the birth of the baby. In such tests, they use blood sample or cheek swab collection in order to conduct test.

Karl McDonald is a professional writer specializing in the field of genetics and Paternity tests. Other areas of interest include Prenatal paternity testing, Gender prediction testing and the latest updates in the field of DNA tests and genetics.