When you hear the phrase “DNA testing,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? We hear about it all the time in popular television shows and high-profile court cases, but the reality of DNA tests aren’t nearly as glamorous as the media portrays them to be.
In real life, most people will get a DNA test to confirm paternity or some other family relationship. Hundreds of thousands of paternity tests are performed each year because they are reliable and effective. Despite the large number of tests given each year, there are still some myths to be debunked when it comes to testing paternity.
So here are 4 myths about DNA testing – debunked:
- MYTH: You have to wait for a child to be born before you can perform a paternity test.
THE TRUTH: Pre-natal DNA testing to determine paternity is a very real thing. Thanks to modern day technology, a Prenatal test can be performed as early as 12 weeks with a simple blood draw from the mother and alleged father.
- MYTH: Paternity tests are painful.
THE TRUTH: Many people assume that DNA tests require needles – but that’s not true! Test samples are collected by taking a simple cheek swab; all you need to do is swish the cotton swab in your cheek for 10-20 seconds, and that’s it!
- MYTH: DNA tests are not accurate.
THE TRUTH: Positive test result probabilities are greater than 99.99%. These tests have proved to be extremely accurate.
- MYTH: DNA testing is tremendously expensive.
THE TRUTH: With the advances being made in DNA technology, paternity tests are actually getting more and more affordable. It’s a very small price to pay for assurance or reassurance for something that can be life changing.