Kerala adoption row: DNA test

Kerala adoption row: DNA test

Context:

A lady complained against her parents, saying the newborn was forcibly taken and given for adoption and with the connivance of some officials. The baby was brought back from his foster parents in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday as directed by the Child Welfare Committee. It also ordered a DNA test in five days.

What is DNA paternity test?

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the genetic material you inherit from your mother and father. Paternity refers to fatherhood. A DNA paternity test uses DNA, usually taken from a cheek swab, to determine whether a man is the child’s biological father.

How accurate is DNA paternity test?

DNA paternity tests are extremely accurate. A test can show with 99.9% accuracy if a man isn’t a person’s biological father.

Why do people need paternity test?

Establishing paternity can be important for several reasons. It can help:

• Gain legal rights to child support, child custody, Social Security benefits and inheritance.
• Identify links to genetic conditions that can affect your long-term health.

How DNA test is performed?

There are two equally accurate ways to test for paternity:

• Blood tests: The potential father and child give blood samples at a medical office. The facility sends the samples to a lab for analysis.
• Cheek swabs: The potential father and child swab the inside of their cheeks for buccal (cheek) cells. You mail the cotton swab applicators to a designated lab. If swabbing takes place in a medical setting, the office sends the samples to a lab.

How is paternity confirmed?

The lab runs a series of tests called DNA sequencing. These tests look for genetic matches between the potential father and child. A match confirms paternity.