There is no question that the DNA test is far more familiar than it was only a year ago. Once upon a time, the threat of a paternity test was only ever seen in the closing moments of soap operas, a dramatic device to generate excitement and anticipation. Yet, with the human genome on the way to being mapped, and genetic testing becoming an important part of medical disease prevention, the paternity DNA test has entered the popular consciousness. For many years, child custody cases were uncertain: it was often left to the judge to decide whether a man was the biological father: at best, he could rely on blood tests, which are hardly as accurate as a modern DNA test. And while paternity DNA testing might be dramatic, it has the virtue of being accurate and based on the latest research. It is important to note that a DNA test is only admissible in a court of law if it has been appropriately administered, with the correct chain of information fully completed. In case where child custody is involved, an informal test is not acceptable. While they may clear the matter for the parents, they are unlikely to impress a judge. For a DNA test to be valid in court, it has to have followed a strict procedure. Reputable laboratories will ensure that any of the DNA material has not been interfered with, and have the processes in place. Most importantly, the DNA from the paternity test must be taken and collected by somebody who has no family, friendship or emotional connection to the people who are being tested. The reasons for this are obvious: if an interested party is taking the DNA, they might have a reason to cheat the system. In the case of a child custody case, this is far too risky. The laboratory also has to ensure that the samples and their details for the paternity DNA test arrive at the laboratory in such a way that nobody could have swapped them or adulterated the materials. Essentially, this makes the laboratory responsible for keeping a very close eye on the DNA from the moment it is sampled, taking notes at every stage. This way, they can provide detailed information, not only about the DNA itself, but how it was treated and by whom. Perhaps the most important part of this chain is the laboratory itself. In order to comply with the legal guidelines, it has to have accreditation. This involves a serious examination of the processes within the actual DNA testing site, to make sure that the samples are safe and the actual method is correct. In many ways, the law is enforcing good scientific behaviour, ensuring that the companies who manufacture DNA testing kits are not making money from parents" anxieties. At the same time, they are setting a stringent standard that helps the law from making mistakes, and supporting a fair outcome in this most sensitive of legal areas.
Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
