DNA Testing vs. Paternity Testing
DNA testing has become an important tool in many different fields, from forensics and medicine to genealogy and even legal matters. One of the most commonly known types of DNA testing is paternity testing, which is used to determine whether or not a man is the biological father of a child. While paternity testing is a subset of DNA testing, the 2 test types are not synonymous. DNA testing in Jackson, MS, can include a broad range of DNA analyses, while paternity testing serves a very specific legal and personal purpose. Understanding the differences between DNA tests and paternity tests is critical in choosing the right test for your needs. Keep reading to learn more about these differences so you can choose the right type of test.
What Is DNA Testing?
Before delving into the differences between the 2 types of tests, let’s establish a firm understanding of what each test type entails. DNA testing, also known as genetic testing, can analyze a person’s genetic material to provide information on a number of topics, including ancestry, health risks, inherited conditions, and identity (such as for forensic purposes). DNA is the “blueprint of life,” as they call it, and contains genetic instructions for our bodies’ growth, development, and function. Common types of DNA testing include the following:
- Ancestry Testing: This type of testing analyzes genetic material to trace people’s ethnic and genealogical background, determining where their ancestors likely emigrated from.
- Genetic Health Testing: This medical test helps to identify genetic predispositions to certain diseases and inherited conditions. This is particularly helpful for those individuals who might not know their biological parents and, therefore, don’t know their family’s medical history.
- Forensic DNA Testing: This kind of test is used in criminal investigations to identify individuals based on genetic material that’s collected at crime scenes. Samples from the crime scene can be compared to samples collected from suspects to determine if there is a genetic match.
- Carrier Screening: This type of DNA test can identify whether or not an individual carries the genes for specific hereditary diseases. Sometimes, expecting parents like to take these tests to determine the likelihood of passing on a disease to their children.
What Is Paternity Testing?
While paternity testing is not the same as DNA testing, it is a subcategory of DNA testing known as “relationship DNA testing.” Relationship DNA tests determine genetic connections to any number of individuals, including parents, siblings, half-siblings, grandparents, and even aunts, uncles, and cousins. Obviously, in the case of paternity testing, we’re looking for a familial connection to the father specifically. Paternity tests establish whether or not a man is the biological father of a child. The process for this test involves collecting DNA samples from the alleged father and from the child, then comparing their genetic markers.
Because a child inherits half of their genetic material from each parent, a paternity test examines the samples for shared genetic sequences known as alleles. Matching alleles confirm paternity, while no match would exclude that man as a biological father. There are 3 primary types of paternity tests:
- Legal Paternity Tests: These are conducted under a very strict chain-of-custody procedure to ensure that the results are admissible in court. This type of test can be used for child support, custody, and inheritance cases, or even to establish legal membership in native tribes.
- Standard Paternity Tests: While these tests are very similar to legal paternity tests, they’re not as rigid in their chain of custody or testing procedures. The samples are, however, still collected and tested in a lab setting for a high level of accuracy.
- At-Home Paternity Tests: This type of test is best used for personal reasons. The samples are collected at home and sent into a lab for testing, so the odds of contamination are higher, and there is no verifiable chain of custody. This means they cannot be admitted in court.
Key Differences between DNA and Paternity Tests
The biggest differences between DNA and paternity tests lie in their purpose and scope. DNA tests cover a broad range of genetic analyses, including ancestry, health, forensic identification, and other biological relationships beyond paternity alone. Paternity tests, however, only determine the biological relationship between a child and one alleged father.
Sample collection and testing methods can also vary, depending on the type of test. DNA can be collected from saliva, blood, hair follicles, or other bodily tissues. Some tests require specialized lab analysis to assess genetic markers for health, ancestry, or forensic purposes. Paternity tests almost exclusively use cheek swabs from the alleged father and the child; however, in prenatal cases, fetal DNA can be collected from the mother’s bloodstream.
Additionally, genetic testing beyond paternity tests is most commonly used for personal reasons, whether that be for the excitement of learning where your ancestors came from, or for helping you better understand your health predispositions. (Of course forensic DNA tests would be used for legal purposes as well.) While paternity tests may be used for only personal reasons, they are most commonly used when determining paternity for legal purposes.
Choosing the Right Test
Different types of DNA tests can vary widely in their scope, purpose, cost, and availability. Selecting the right test will depend on your specific needs. If you’re looking for information on your ancestry, genetic health risks, or the potential for inherited conditions, a more general DNA test may be a better choice. However, if the goal is to confirm biological parentage, a paternity test in Jackson, MS, is going to be the better choice. At Mobile Drug Screen, we are one of the most trusted paternity test providers in the area, and can provide paternity and other familial DNA tests that are fast, accurate, and reliable. Contact us today to schedule your paternity test sample collection or to learn more about our services.