DNA Maternity Test

Usage

The DNA Maternity Test will conclusively determine whether an alleged mother is the biological mother of a child. Maternity testing is very helpful in cases of adoption reunification and IVF where a mother wishes to conclusively determine that she is the biological mother of a child.

Methods

During a DNA Maternity Test, a painless buccal (mouth) swab sample is collected from the child and the alleged mother. The sample contains cells, and most of the cells in our body contain a full set of genetic information in the form of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). A person’s DNA represents a “genetic blueprint” and, like a fingerprint, it is unique to each individual.

At the laboratory, the DNA is extracted from the cell and specific regions of the DNA are amplified by a process known as PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Our test analyzes 16 to 27 of these specific regions, called short tandem repeats (STRs). STRs are regions of DNA in which a short DNA sequence is repeated multiple times. They are found throughout the genome and are highly variable, providing an accurate way to confirm or refute biological relationships.

Results

Your results will show two numbers (alleles) that indicate the number of repeats that you received from each parent at each STR. You may have two identical alleles at a marker, or you may have two different alleles. One of each allele will match to each of your parents; hence in a mother-child relationship, 50% of the STR variation will be identical. This analysis conclusively determines whether an alleged mother is the biological mother of the child.

Three Easy Steps

Step 1: Order test kit online

Step 2: Collect DNA sample using a painless mouth swab, and mail to the lab in the provided return envelope

Step 3: Receive your results online

Click here for more details and to watch our explanatory video.