Deoxyribonucleic acid, also known as DNA, refers to the molecules necessary for building and maintaining organisms. All living things have DNA. Parents can pass it to their children in the process called reproduction. For many years, DNA testing has been used around the world for many reasons.
1. Blood Relation
People do DNA testing to know if someone is related to their blood. For example, a paternity test is a process of getting a child’s profile to check if he/she is related to an individual or other person. People do this testing for medical and legal purposes.
Here are the steps for a paternity test:
- A person should undergo a swab test inside their cheek.
- Tests are both for the father and child.
- DNA samples will go to the laboratory, where cells will be extracted.
- Experts will study the result to know if there is a blood relation between the two.
2. Evidence
People conduct DNA testing to get enough exact data as evidence to solve a crime.
Lawyers often suggest doing this testing because:
- It can give the correct information.
- It can support a victim and put a suspect in jail.
- With the help this testing, justice is not impossible for victims.
3. Pregnancy
Believe it or not, DNA testing is available as early as nine weeks of pregnancy. It is possible that the blood of the baby can be found in the mother’s blood already. Blood samples will go to the laboratory for checking. Hence, it will give you a 99% accuracy. The result of the test may take 7 to ten days.
4. Privacy Issues
Doing DNA analysis can also have privacy issues. Data gathered from the tests can be put at risk and get hacked. Also, it happens when companies let their customers upload their data to their systems. It is possible because some services allow people to put their results into the database.
The following can happen if data are not protected well:
- The information is not safe from fraud.
- Data gathered can be sold.
- Details are possible for blackmail.
5. Emotional Consequences
The result of DNA testing can make the owners happy and fulfilled but angry and disappointed at the same time for some. Therefore, it usually happens when you thought you found someone you lost for a very long time. A result can become positive or negative, so it better to prepare for it.
The following can happen after knowing the result the test:
- Results may tell you family secrets that you are not ready to accept yet.
- You may not be at peace for some time.
- It may affect your relationship with other people. Therefore, one should prepare for the results.
6. Test at Home
Personal DNA testing has become widely popular because of its convenience. It is possible to do it inside the comfort of your own homes at a lower price.
To try this, you can do the following steps:
- Find companies that offer DNA kits.
- It is important to fill up the required information inside it.
- Collect samples and register them back.
- Send it again to the company and wait for the results.
It is important to know first if a kit is the right one according to your needs. Hence, it is good to talk to your doctor and ask for advice before buying a kit.
7. Usual Procedure
Before the test, you will undergo pre-test counseling. Also, several questions include your current health condition. It also aims to:
- Explain the purpose of testing.
- Privacy concerns of the test.
- Your rights and limitations.
- The options are available for you.
- The process of testing.
During the process, there are many options given to you. Hence, there are many ways to conduct this test. It includes a swab from the inside of your cheeks, saliva samples, or needle tests.
8. Possible Risks
There were no serious risks when you chose to go for DNA analysis. Also, the time consumed is less than what you are expecting. Likewise, most tests require blood and swab that can’t hurt you a lot.
Moreover, one can have any foods and drinks, for it cannot affect the results. However, it would help if you asked your doctor for things to avoid before the procedure. It usually happens for people taking medicines and with other health issues.
