X Chromosome Testing, Mismatches, and Fragile X

Posted on | February 29, 2012 | 1 Comment

The X chromosome test is the ideal test if you are two or more females who wish to know if you have the same dad. X chromosomes in males are inherited from their mother whilst and X chromosome in females are inherited from both their mother and their father. The test gives a very accurate result.

The X test, as the X chromosome test is sometimes called, is what you can opt for in order to establish paternity. Samples can be collected exactly like in a paternity test. Yes, ideally, the first choice to consider is a paternity DNA test but in some cases the alleged father might not be available and in this case, it would not be possible to get his DNA sample. A range of relationship DNA tests are available to help solve just about any questions about familial relationships- the X chromosome test is one of them.

Fragile X syndrome, a condition which affects more males than females, develops as a result of changes on the X chromosome or to terms these changes correctly, we would call them mutations. The symptoms of fragile X syndrome include a large body size and delays in the acquisition of language skills. It is one of the principal genes that is known to be linked to autism.

Fragile X syndrome is also refered to as:

• Fragile X syndrome (FXS)
• Martin–Bell syndrome
• Escalante’s syndrome

Conditions for an X chromosome test

• If female siblings have the same biological mother and want to know if they have the same father they can do and X chromosome test – however, in this case, the mother’s sample is essential and the test cannot be done without it.
• If the females involved have different mothers then it is possible to go ahead with the test even without the mother’s sample.

X Chromosome test results

This test is extremely accurate- a positive and conclusive result means a complete match between the X chromosome profiles of the females involved. In some instances genetic mutations can mean 1 or 2 genetic markers will be mismatched between the genetic profiles; in cases of just 1-2 markers, the result will be inconclusive- it is not possible to say that the females share the same dad but neither to exclude the possibility.

3 or more mismatched markers are a clear exclusion. We can conclude by saying that the X chromosome test is highly accurate and reliable. Genetic mutations on the X chromosome are rare.

How do I collect DNA Samples for a paternity DNA Test?

Posted on | June 9, 2011 | No Comments

Central to your paternity DNA test is collecting DNA samples; you will be well guided and although collecting DNA sounds like a big, scientific endeavor it actually very simple and straightforward- far from rocket scientist material.

Collecting DNA samples: Do I need to send Blood?

Definitely not; No DNA testing company will recommend blood as first sample. Blood is no longer used for DNA samples- of course blood can be used, it contains lots and lots of DNA but is rather impractical. You need to go to a doctor, have your vein punctured, blood drawn from it, and then send for testing. If postage is included, blood is not exactly easy to pack and post- basically, sending blood is too laborious- not to mention trying to get a little child to sit for an injection is hell for parents.

So how do I collect the DNA samples for my Paternity Test?

Samples are collect with oral swabs- you might see these referred to as also buccal swabs, pharyngeal swabs or mouth swabs. These are extremely simple to use and also painless; most DNA tests including mitochondrial DNA testing, Y chromosome testing and X chromosome testing rely on DNA extraction using swabs. As the name clearly suggest, they must be applied inside the mouth. Swabs are simply rubbed around the inside of the mouth, under the tongue and around the cheeks. You will receive a home test kit to help you collect samples. If you need to send in samples that are non saliva samples (nails, hair or cigarette ends, to mention a few) for a forensic DNA test you should be advised by the company doing your test.

Once you have collected the samples, you send them off to the lab for testing.

Collecting DNA samples has never been easier. Paternity DNA testing is accurate and the only reliable means of determining paternity.

Private DNA Testing

Posted on | April 21, 2011 | No Comments

Private DNA testing is testing done in the ease of your own home with all the privacy and confidentiality you require when doing such tests. The use of private DNA tests has soared over the past decade and it is now the most widespread means of determining paternity.

Private DNA Testing at home

When doing a home paternity DNA test you will be sent a kit. Of course, you do not need to receive this kit at your home address if you would rather not. You can ask for the kit to be sent anywhere you wish- perhaps a friend’s house or the house of a relative. The DNA test kit is anonymous with nothing that would suggest to a person seeing it that its purpose is to carry out a DNA paternity test.

Confidentiality is a central concern for people doing these private DNA tests; they often do not want other people knowing they are carrying out this test. The test kit contains oral swabs; the only bit of paper work you will be required to complete is the consent form inside the kit.

The Consent form and Paternity Testing Privacy

The consent form is a confidential piece of paperwork for your private DNA test. You will find this in the DNA paternity test kit. On it the person requesting the test will need to fill out a few personal details of all the people taking part in the test; signatures will also be required. This consent form has to be sent in with your DNA samples. On the consent form, you will be required to fill in an email address, as part of the whole private DNA testing issue; results will only be sent to the address.

If you decide you want to receive your results at another email address, not the one specified on the consent form, you will need to send a copy of an ID with a request and signature; on this request form, you will need to of course also include the new email address. One final word, private DNA testing is not court admissable.

Doing a Sperm Test

Posted on | April 21, 2011 | 1 Comment

It is possible to do a sperm test. People usually just want to confirm if a stain they have found is sperm or not. In cases of suspected infidelity, it might even be worth considering an infidelity DNA test with the suspected sperm sample. There is also home male fertility test, but this is not related to the article.

There is what is known as a semen detection test. This test has nothing to do with DNA- it is much cheaper and less reliable to begin with. Detecting sperm involves detecting certain proteins which are found specifically in sperm. The sperm test can sometimes give false positive results- in other words, the test result will confirm that sperm is present but in actual fact, it is not sperm at all. Unfortunately, this error is especially frequent when you choose to do a sperm test with your own home kit.

Under lab conditions a sperm testing is more reliable. This is because the laboratory scientists will actually run two tests. The two tests are not the same.

If you want to do an infidelity DNA test with the sperm sample then you must discuss sending the sample first. This test will involve actually mapping a DNA profile from the sperm sample (assuming it is actually sperm); once you have this profile you can send in another sample from the person you suspect this semen stain might have come- if the profiles match, it means that the DNA belongs to the same person.

On the other hand, you might not be sure the stain you found is sperm- perhaps it might be bodily fluids belonging to a female. The test can again detect whether the sample sent in contains the DNA of a male or female.

A sperm test can refer to either a test simply to detect semen presence or a test that actually maps DNA profiles.

Hair DNA Testing Used in Criminal Investigation

Posted on | April 21, 2011 | No Comments

Thanks to hair DNA testing, Jason Maestrello, 34, accused and charged with two counts of murder in 2005 in Cornwall, Canada has had evidence of the murders linked back to him. Maestrello and his murder accomplices are said to have taken a boat to dump some clothes, towels, and guns into St. Lawrence River. DNA tests on hairs found on the towel in the river waters proved to belong to Maestrello.

The hair sample has enabled a DNA profile to be drawn up and compared to the DNA of Maestrello. The comparison showed a match and thus, the hair sample could not be excluded as belonging to Maestrello. DNA hair testing followed. The towel was found to have 4 hairs and two of these were matched back to Maestrello thanks to DNA testing with hair. The investigation required Jason, his partner Michael Boyle, two alleged drug traffickers Andy Paul and Roger Belair, Belair’s X wife and the benedicts to give blood DNA samples so as to be able to extract a DNA profile from this sample and compare it to the DNA in the hair. The 2005 murders in which Jason is implicated involved the shooting of his two cousins, Peter and Jade Benedict, 34 and 27 years of age respectively. The killings were a result of a large debt that the two had to pay Maestrello, a drug dealer. Allegedly, the two owed him some $160,000 for a sale of marijuana.

Further investigation yielded two cigarette ends which however, did not provide DNA profiles that could accurately be linked to any of the known profiles.

Hair DNA Testing: 2 Types of DNA

If hairs used have the hair follicle or root, than analysts can extract another type of DNA which is known as nuclear DNA; this is the type of DNA most often found and used in forensic investigations as it gives a much more specific and accurate profile. This type of DNA is also used in paternity tests, relationships tests and twin tests; in such cases, it is possible to carry out a hair DNA test so as long as the hair has the root.

Hair DNA testing in the case involving Maestrello cannot be entirely conclusive and the probability of it belonging to Maestrello is just 1 in 556 (based on the limited number of Caucasian DNA profile in the FBI database). The DNA tested for in the case was based upon the samples of hair found on the towel. The hairs in this case were likely to be naturally shed hairs which in themselves do not contain the ideal DNA for DNA testing. Hairs contain what is known as MtDNA (Mitochondrial DNA), a type of DNA which is passed solely down the maternal line; this means that along with Maestrello, other female relatives may also be implicated in the crime.

Nowadays, highly advanced forensic testing methods allow for DNA profiles to be extracted from the most difficult and even degraded samples.

Hair DNA testing involving mitochondrial DNA, as in the above case, required further laboratory analysis to check that the MtDNA has not been contaminated by other DNA.

At Home Paternity Testing Information

Posted on | April 21, 2011 | No Comments

At home paternity testing is probably the most convenient and practical way of doing a paternity test. That is, of course, if you do not need to get the test done for legal purposes.

Perhaps, the terms at home DNA paternity testing is a bit misleading- because ultimately, you will only be required to collect the DNA samples at home. You cannot just sit and wait for your paternity test result at home because a lab has to analyze those samples for you.

You can collect your samples with a DNA test home kit. All DNA testing companies have some kind of a home kit which they send their clients; inside the home paternity test kit there are the oral swabs which are rubbed inside the mouth and then sent back for testing- this put crudely as there are a few steps to follow and paper work to fill in. Overall, it is however, performing a home paternity test is very simple.

In situations when you really need a kit urgently for your home paternity DNA test, you probably have the option of getting the kit couriered to you. Another final option to carry out your home paternity test is to actually purchase your own swabs from a pharmacy. This final option is however, a bit more tedious although it can save time as you will still need to be sent the necessary forms to fill and instructions.

At home paternity testing is accurate and reliable but above all so convenient; allowing for total privacy and confidentiality as required with such tests.

Do you Share the same Maternal Line? Do a Maternal Lineage Test

Posted on | March 17, 2011 | No Comments

Maternal lineage testing is a DNA test designed to tell you about your ancient maternal roots. The test is done by testing what is called Mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) – a type of DNA we inherit only from our mothers. All male and female children inherit their MtDNA from their mother, but it is only females who can pass it on. Maternal lineage testing can be done with both males and females.

Human migration and MtDNA testing

Humans migrated all over the globe out of Africa thousands of years ago, populating small geographical areas with varying climates and conditions. Each group’s DNA adapted so as to be able to survive in those conditions. These alterations in DNA in these specific groups became specific and unique to that group. These groups are referred to as haplogroups. Haplogroups share common genetic features.

MtDNA testing is a reliable way of testing maternal lineage. This type of DNA is not only passed down the female line but moreover, it has a very low mutation rate. Analysts seek to isolate portions of DNA known as hypervariable regions with two main hypervariable regions being the focus of analysis- Hypervariable region 1 and Hypervariable region 2. Two females wishing to know if they have a common maternal line can do an MtDNA test. An MtDNA test and a maternal lineage test are similar but not quite the same in scope. MtDNA tests are usually done between siblings. Maternal lineage testing presents you with information about your ancient maternal history.

Paternity Rights – The Situation in the UK

Posted on | February 17, 2011 | No Comments

Paternity rights are a big issue at the moment. Unsurprisingly, most dad’s have paternity rights which they are not aware of, perhaps, because paternity rights have only recently emerged when compared to the whole notion of maternity rights and maternity leave.

Awareness campaigns for paternity rights in the work place have started as surveys showed that many did not even know exactly where they stood on the issue or whether the company they worked for had any system in place regarding the issue of paternity rights.

So what are the paternity rights up to date?

Father’s are entitled to 2 weeks of paid paternity leave. This however, does not mean they get their full salary but rather, the government gives each father requesting such leave the sum of £123.06 a week.

To be entitled to this sum there are certain conditions which have to be met:

• The father must have had a minimum of 26 weeks employment with the employer they are under when requesting the leave.
• The 26 weeks frame must be up to the 15th week before the date on which the baby is due.
• Fathers who are expecting a child must ask for their paternity leave 15 weeks before the baby is expected to be born.
• The father can take up to 13 weeks as he wishes any time between the child’s age of 0-5. However, this leave is unpaid.

Some businesses, advocating the work-life balance have come with systems to help father’s balance their work demands as well as their lives with their children. However, it is then up to father’s to seek and ask about their rights or added benefits to their employer.

Some issues with paternity rights and paternity laws

Being entitles to paternity leave, even though for just 2 weeks is all good. But, for many fathers, receiving a mere £123.06 a week means that they cannot take their leave. It may be possible that in future thing will improve and fathers will get 90% of their salary.

The fact that Paternity rights are not known by all fathers means that many are missing out on valuable rights and precious time with their children.

homeDNAdirect UK wishes you a prosperous New Year

Posted on | January 11, 2011 | No Comments

HomeDNAdirect UK has ended yet another year successfully. We have worked hard at optimizing our operations and stepping up on customer care so as to offer the most competent and professional advice and guidance possible. homeDNAdirect offers a range of DNA tests including paternity DNA testing and DNA testing for immigration. HomeDNAdirect has launched its services in new countries and looks forward to working with clients in new markets.

This is a good opportunity to wish you the best of the coming year and that it will be even better than the old one. We will keep focused on offering the best service possible and obviously updating and optimizing our websites. We still regularly add to our knowledge bases across all out websites and thus, you can regularly access new and diverse topics related to DNA testing including celebrity testing in the news or just new research and discoveries in the field of genetics.

Cheap Paternity testing

Posted on | November 30, 2010 | 1 Comment

There are many companies nowadays offering cheap paternity tests. Paternity testing is a life changing decision, or at least has the potential to change one’s life and often people seeking such tests may question the price as they want the quality of service to be outstanding and often, as consumers, we are conditioned to think that there is a link between price and quality (which to some extent there is).

Unfortunately the word cheap is somewhat semantically ambiguous. For many, a cheap test, whether a legal paternity test or  an at home paternity test, would signify a test that is of inferior quality, that is not done using the required standard of technology and were the company involved in doing your test may be unreliable and scatter-brained. ‘Cheap’ can also be seen as something that is good or even excellent value for your money.

Moreover, to be able to determine how cheap a paternity DNA test is, one must compare it with the price of other companies of the same caliber. In fact, everything must be seen in context: what competitors are offering locally, how many competitors there are and are they providing anything over and above what others are offering to explain the cost of the test. Subjective perceptions and an individual’s spending power also play very much a part in the notion of cheap.

What makes a Paternity test Cheap?

There are not many points on which a company can compete effectively especially with a paternity DNA test. There is nothing tangible about a service, although quality is an important issue. The price of the paternity test depends on a number of things, amongst which:
• The company’s choice of how low or high to keep their prices
• The processing capacity of the laboratories and whether costs can be reduced on economies of scale
• The standard the company wishes to provide (which is linked to the laboratory testing, the overall customer service offered to clients etc)
• The size of the company and the countries it markets it- who is the company competing with?
Guarantee of Quality for your Test

If you begin to wonder about why the paternity test is cheap, you should bear in mind that price and quality or not directly proportional. A paternity test offered at 500 euro is not necessarily better than one offered at 300 euro. What really should concern anyone seeking a paternity test is the laboratory accreditation. Once the paternity testing company you choose has ISO 17025 accredited laboratories you can be sure that you are getting good value for your money.

Value for paternity testing is not viewed in monetary terms but in terms of customer service and accreditation. When you are considering your cheap paternity DNA test and how reliable this will be, simply look out for the company accreditations and see how prompt and helpful they are in answering your queries.

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