This essay is about DNA Paternity testing

Essay by SilkThaShockaHigh School, 10th gradeA+, September 2002

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DNA Paternity Testing

All children have a biological mother and a biological father, but certain circumstances arise where the mother may not be sure who the father is of her child. Through many years of extensive research, scientists have figured out how to use DNA to figure out who the biological father is of a child. There are several different methods in which the information is gathered, and once the scientists have results, they are over 99.9% positive who the father is.

If a mother is unsure of the identity of the father of her baby, she can go to a testing facility specializing in DNA paternity testing. A DNA paternity test is the most accurate form of paternity test possible. Tests called probes are done, and if after two probes the DNA from the alleged father does not match the child's, then it is 100% certain that the man is not the biological father.

If the DNA patterns on every probe match the father and child, then scientists can calculate a probability of paternity that is over 99% accurate. The mother's DNA is not needed for these tests.

There are several different ways that DNA samples can be obtained. All of the ways are just as accurate as the next. One way is by using cotton buccal swabs on the inside of one's mouth. Blood samples may be collected by only five to ten drops of blood. Newborns may be tested from the blood from the umbilical cord. Tissue or blood samples may be obtained from deceased individuals and used for testing. A paternity test may also be performed before a child is born through a method called Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS) or Amniocentesis.

The field of paternity testing is becoming more and more advanced every day. DNA paternity testing is practically flawless, and delivers quick and accurate results. There are many different methods that DNA can be obtained through this procedure, which can be painless. If a situation ever arises where a mother may not be sure to who the father is of her child, her best bet would be to have a DNA paternity test which is over 99% accurate.