Convenient at-home DNA testing
Today, an array of activities can be carried out from your home, whether online shopping or verifying paternity. Laboratories have developed solutions like the possibility to do a paternity test while pregnant that can be purchased online and delivered to your doorstep. This package contains everything required for sample collection. Once you have collected the samples, you send them back to the lab for analysis. There are plenty of DNA tests, each with a unique purpose. For example, if you’re expecting and the anticipation of knowing if your baby is a boy or girl is too much to handle, you can use an at home DNA test to discover the gender. Are you struggling with weight loss? Some labs offer a test that provides personalised exercise regimens and dietary suggestions tailored to your body, enabling effective weight loss.
DNA testing without legal implications
Are you concerned that test results might impose legal obligations on you? This is a prevalent concern with paternity tests. It’s crucial to note that the laboratory doesn’t assume responsibility for the test results’ reliability when DNA samples are taken at home. This doesn’t imply that the lab is negligent; rather, it signifies that the onus lies entirely on the individuals requesting the test. For instance, if a man initiates a paternity test but provides DNA from another man, the lab will return a negative result as there’s no genetic correlation between the supposed father and the child. Consequently, at-home DNA tests lack legal validity. The samples must be collected at the lab or by an authorised third party, such as a medical professional, to gain legal standing. Additionally, legally valid tests are more expensive as they require the involvement of authorised third parties to certify that the sample collection process was carried out correctly.
Follow the guidelines
When you receive the DNA sample collection kit, it includes instructions. A frequent error is to open sealed packets without reading the instructions first. It’s crucial not only to read but understand these instructions. The kit cannot be reused once you send the samples to the lab. If the lab finds that the samples have been improperly collected or contaminated, you must purchase another kit. The procedure is fairly simple and typically involves swabbing the inside of your cheeks to gather saliva. However, issues arise when individuals do this post smoking, alcohol consumption, or intake of any other substance, which can alter the saliva sample characteristics. Following the laboratory’s instructions when collecting DNA samples at home is important. Keep in mind that the laboratory assumes you have followed the instructions.