DNA Testing

DNA testing has become extremely popular over the years. In fact, over the years, DNA testing is much easier to conduct and has been even more accurate with the development of new testing procedures. In the 1920's blood typing was used in order to determine the genetic origins of an individual. Even though blood types are inherited, the "power of exclusion" can only eliminate around 30% of individuals, thus making this type of testing unreliable.

In the 1930's, science progressed to Serological testing, which is testing that looks at specific inherited antigens in the blood because they are genetically inherited. However, this type of testing can only eliminate 40% of individuals through the power of exclusion. In the 1970's, the scientific community decided it was better to turn to tissue typing rather than blood typing in order to get more accurate results. Tissue typing works by analyzing the type of HLA, or human leukocyte antigen, which is a protein that is present in every tissue of the body except the red blood cells, with most being present in the white blood cells. Unfortunately, this type of testing can only eliminate 80% of individuals and only 90% when used in conjunction with serological testing.

On the Way to DNA Testing For More Accurate Results

In the 1980's, a new technique started to be used which was coined "restriction fragment length polymorphism", or RFLP for short. This began the first genetic testing of DNA. Since DNA is inherited from both of the parents but it is more reliable in eliminating a much larger percentage of the population due to its variability in each human. It is the closest representative to a fingerprint we have in the body and is ideal when anyone wants to know a biological relationship.

RFLP testing involves a large blood sample and a fairly long turnaround time in order to achieve conclusive results. When paternity testing was conducted using this type of technology, a blood sample from both the parents and the child in order to determine the child's biological relationship. RFLP testing, because it utilizes testing the DNA of an individual, can eliminate over 99.99% of people on the planet, making it an extremely effective testing and determining tool. However, this type of testing requires a long turnaround time and a large blood sample that may not be realistic in many people.

Home DNA Testing- Easier and Over 99.999% Accurate!

In the 1990's a new technique, called PCR technology (polymerase chain reaction) became the standard for DNA testing. The PCR technique involves getting a tissue sample from anywhere in the body, generally from the insides of the mouth area in order to get the substance that is needed in order to conduct a DNA test. In PCR testing, fragments of DNA is collected and then replicated billions of times and analyzed. If a DNA test is used to conduct a paternity test, half of the child's' DNA will match the mother and the other half will match the fathers. These tests can now be conducted in the privacy of your own home.

DNA testing can also be used and is not limited to: Immigration DNA testing, adoption DNA testing, Forensic testing, Maternity testing, DNA profiling, Twin Zygosity testing, and DNA banking.