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Steven & Kimra
I think like so many, we were extremely skeptical with the idea of putting our profile online. It seemed like we would be making something so very private and intimate very public. Although we were very leery, we had been less than welcomed by many traditional adoption workers. We didn’t fit the mold that they were looking for. We were an “older” couple (40’s), with 3 children, with a rather unique life and parenting style…and more ...
Paternity Testing
Paternity testing is done to determine whether a man could be the biological father of a child. It can be done as early as the tenth week of pregnancy or any time after birth, and in some cases can even be done when the alleged father is absent or dead.
All paternity tests compare the pattern of the alleged father's DNA (genetic material) with that of the child. It is the most definitive way to prove paternity. Eye color and blood type can identify the possibility that a man is the biological father, but only paternity testing can give a reliable answer.
There are a number of reasons to undergo paternity testing. Your reasons will determine which type of test you take. When you wish to satisfy your own peace of mind, with no legal implications, an in-home test can be done. Samples are collected at home using cheek (buccal) swabs, which are then sent to a lab for analysis. These tests are usually not admissible in court.
Legal reasons for paternity testing can vary. If the mother has had multiple partners, testing can determine which man has legal and financial responsibility for the child. Proving the identity of the father is vital to ensure that the baby receives child support and benefits such as Social Security, veteran's benefits, and health care. Child custody disputes and inheritance issues are other reasons for establishing legal paternity.
Formal testing requires collecting samples from at least the alleged father and the child, though a sample from the mother is also preferred. When done for legal reasons, samples must be collected by an independent third party, such as a lab. Once the baby is born this can be done using blood samples or, most often, cheek swabs. If the alleged father is dead or absent, blood, hair, or other body tissues may sometimes be used for paternity testing.
Paternity testing can be done during pregnancy using one of two methods. From the tenth through thirteenth week, chorionic villi testing can be done to collect a sample. From the fourteenth through twenty-fourth weeks, amniocentesis is used. Both methods are invasive procedures that must be done by an OB-GYN and do carry some risk to the pregnancy.
Whatever your reasons for undergoing paternity testing, DNA matching ensures you of fast (usually within two weeks), accurate results that will reliably answer your questions about paternity.
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