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Who can have a DNA paternity test?
The general public is often surprised to find that anyone (at any age) can undergo a paternity test; even an unborn child can be tested. However, testing an unborn child isn’t something that’s to be undertaken lightly as it involves the intrusive step of taking samples of amniotic fluid to access the child’s DNA.
In fact, it’s much more common to test for paternity the minute the child is born by taking a sample of blood from the umbilical cord. If you’re planning to go down this route you’ll need to discuss all the issues with your physician at least one month before the due date. At the opposite end of the scale it’s also possible to carry out a paternity test on a deceased person using samples of dried blood and saliva to obtain DNA.
The majority of paternity tests are carried out to determine the father of a child for reasons of custody, child support or simply for peace of mind. A paternity test can be conducted without the presence of the mother, so if the mother is deceased or not available, the test can still be carried out and will be just as accurate.
Paternity tests also prove invaluable in a variety of other situations, ranging from resolving the question of true parentage in adoption cases to unravelling some of the knots involved in alternative reproduction technologies. Paternity tests are frequently used by the police in cases of abandonment, by medical staff to match accidentally switched newborns with their parents and by legal professionals to confirm insurance or inheritance rights claims or prove kinship in immigration situations.
Consent is required before a sample can be taken from any person. If the individual in question is not in a position to give their consent (for example; if they are a minor aged below 16) then their legal guardian or the person acting as loco parentis can give consent on their behalf. Only once all the paperwork has been signed is it then possible to go ahead with the test.
© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Who can have a Paternity Test?
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