Paternity testing: proof of the biological father-child relationship

Paternity testing is widely used to determine whether an alleged father is the biological father of a child or children. We have all seen many shows which feature this test; delighted fathers, exalted by the results of a paternity test, jumping up and down in front of the camera as they are freed from all parental responsibilities.

On the other hand, turmoil and agitation follow as the results of a paternity test can change one's life. Whatever the context, paternity testing has become an indispensible tool in establishing paternity and meting out parental obligations and responsibilities.

Paternity tests can be either peace of mind or legal tests. Peace of mind tests are an easy way to clear one's doubts about the issue using the most simple and straightforward method of sample collection. The test is also cheaper to carry out when compared to a legal paternity test. A legal paternity is usually done following the recommendations of a lawyer or under court order. Ideally, in situations where individuals only foster doubts, a peace of mind paternity test would be the best option.

Just a quick 10 second sample collection using an oral swab is all that is needed to disprove or confirm the paternity of a man. It is however hard to assess the implications of these tests and the way they have come to impinge on family units, fatherhood and partnerships. Paternity testing is crucial in helping ascertain which children get social benefits and support from which father.

Births outside wedlock

In most countries, the law does not presume parentage if the child is born outside wedlock and a paternity may be indispensible. With married couples, things are more straightforward: the husband is generally assumed to be the biological father of any children born within wedlock.

Paternity testing can actually be a determining factor in building an emotional bond between the father and the child. Men who are uncertain as to where they stand over the paternity of a child are unlikely to want to play a father role figure until they are certain. Needless to say, they are also unlikely to provide any financial support.

We must here draw a line and leave the emotional support aside as a father cannot be obliged or forced to get emotionally involved in the child's life even if the paternity test result shows he is the father. He may be reluctant to do so or perhaps it may be deemed in the child's best interests that he remain emotionally detached or uninvolved. The emotional aspect is more of an ethical and moral stance that cannot be enforced by the law. However, when it comes to child support and alimony, the father can be forced to provide child support.

Looking at the vast popularity of paternity tests and the many thousands carried out each year, we can easily deduce the following: we place a huge importance and faith in the accuracy of science. In fact, a paternity test result will show a probability of paternity in excess of 99.99 per cent if the tested man is the biological father. Grey areas do however occur - in some cases genetic mutations may require testing of additional genetic markers in addition to testing the mother's DNA sample.

Non-identical twins

In cases of the alleged fathers being identical twins, no DNA test can pin point which man fathered the child. Identical twins have identical genetic blue prints. This means that when the child's DNA is compared to that of the two, alleged, monozygotic twin males, both twins will have a DNA profile that fully matches that of the child. In such cases, only the mother's testimony can be used to determine which father most likely is the true biological father. Another case which sometimes arises is with non-identical twins. Non identical twins can have different fathers. This happens when a woman has intercourse with two different men within a short period of time (no more than four days). In such cases, a sperm from each man may fertilise an ovum resulting in non-identical twins with different fathers. The process where a woman conceives dizygotic twins with different fathers is known as Heteropaternal superfecundation.

Paternity processes

A paternity test is carried out using oral swabs. This is due to the ease of DNA extraction in a laboratory from such samples as well as the fact that the sample collection itself is painless. Most companies such as International Biosciences UK provide clients with a home sample kit containing oral swabs.

The oral swabs enable the people taking part in the test to provide samples of check cells, collected directly from the lining inside the mouth (the oral mucosa or oral epithelium). This mucosa is actually made up of cells. These cells are tightly packed but any dead cells will easily come away from the surface of the mouth when the swab is rubbed against it. Once the samples have been collected, they must be allowed to dry for a short period of time to ensure that no mould forms.

Oral swab samples are then sent to the laboratory for testing. Once the profiles of the alleged father, the child and the mother are extracted, a comparison can be made in order to determine whether the tested man is the biological father. All DNA markers on the profile of the child and the alleged father will need to match in order to confirm he is the biological father.

In legal paternity disputes, judges will often issue a court order for a paternity test to be carried out. This will help solve the paternity dispute once and for all and following the results, the judge can decide how to act bearing in mind the best interests of the child.