Unsure if the baby is yours/his?
Consider free genetic tests.*
Should you - Mom not married to the father of your newborn OR possible unwed-to-Mom father of that newborn - be unsure of the paternity of the baby, you have options:
- Private laboratories advertise on television, the Internet, the Yellow Pages, and even on billboards (ex. 1-800-DNA-TYPE) - cost is about $600; or
- Free genetic tests - for children of any age, as long as the parents were not wed at the time of birth and paternity was not established by Affidavit or court order - are available through the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE)
Should you as an unwed parent or possible father be interested in free genetic tests though DCSE you can call your nearest DCSE office, DCSE's toll-free customer service number (1 -800-859- 7999), or DCSE representative John R. Mier at 573-751-7079.
You simply state that you would like to "open a case" - as an unwed parent/possible father - to receive free genetic testing to confirm who is the father of the child.
As a parent/possible father, you will be required to
a) open a case with DCSE - this is required so the laboratory that provides the genetic test can be paid; you can close the case after you receive the paternity results, as long as the custodial parent is not receiving assistance (Medicaid and/or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families -TANF); and,
b) cooperate with DCSE in scheduling the tests. Scheduling is quite flexible and can be set up in a variety of locations and times; mother and possible father do not have to be at the same location at the same time.
Once the genetic test results are provided to you, you may sign an Affidavit to acknowledge paternity - that is, put Dad's name on the child's birth certificate. Or, DCSE can also assist, if necessary, with a paternity-only order, or with a paternity and child support order.
*"It COSTS me for those tests!" - You might hear a man say that, but the only time a parent would be charged for DCSE-initiated genetic tests is if he failed to cooperate and voluntarily submit to the tests. If a county prosecutor becomes involved and the man is court ordered to submit to the tests, he will most likely be ordered to reimburse the state for the cost of the tests.
(This document was created 8120101 for hospital distribution to inquiring parents/possible fathers. If you have further questions about genetic testing and/or the paternity establishment process, please fee/ free to contact John R. Mier, DCSE, 573-751-7079.)
What is DNA paternity testing (or parentage testing)? - DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic material in the cells of your body. Every nucleated cell has 46 chromosomes, except the sperm cells from the man and the egg of the woman, which only contain 23 chromosomes each. At the moment of conception, there are 46 chromosomes necessary to create a person. Thus, a person receives half of his/her genetic material or DNA from the biological mother, and the other half from the biological father.
DNA paternity testing - using tissue samples from the inner cheek of the mother, child, and possible father - is now commonly done instead of "blood tests" because DNA is unique to each individual (except identical twins.) Since it is so specific, just like a fingerprint, DNA paternity testing is the most powerful form of testing.
How accurate is DNA paternity testing?
- A DNA paternity test is the most accurate form of paternity testing possible. If the DNA patterns between the child and the alleged father do not match on two or more DNA probes, then that alleged father is 100% excluded, which means he has a 0% probability of paternity - he cannot be the biological father of the child. If the DNA patterns between the mother, child and the alleged father match on every DNA probe, then we are able to calculate a probability of paternity of 99.9% or greater. This result indicates that he is "practically proven" to be the biological father of the child.
(Missouri requires 98%)
Does the child have to be a certain age to perform a DNA paternity test?
- There are no age restrictions with DNA paternity testing. Traditional blood testing required that a child should be at least six months old. In addition, a large sample, usually two big tubes of blood, was required. This would be very difficult on a small child. However, DNA paternity testing only requires cheek cells collected by swabbing the mouth. This small cheek swab permits the testing of newborns and infants.
Is the mouthlbuccal swab accurate?
- An alternative to testing blood is a method of sample collection called buccal
(cheek) swab. Since the DNA is the same in every cell of the body, the accuracy of testing performed on cheek cells collected with a swab is the same as using the blood. The phlebotomist collects the sample by using a buccal swab and gently massaging the inside of the mouth. DNA can be extracted from this sample.
How does the paternity testing process work?
- DNA is extracted from a few drops of blood, cheek cells, or cultured cells. Enzymes are used to cut the DNA sample into fragments, which are then placed into a gel matrix. An electric current drives the fragments across the gel - the smallest fragments move the farthest, while the largest move the least distance.
The separated DNA fragments are transferred to a nylon membrane, which is exposed to a labeled DNA probe, a short piece of customized DNA that recognizes and binds to a unique segment of the tested person's DNA. This nylon membrane is placed against a film which, when developed, reveals black bands where the probes are bound to the DNA. The visible band pattern of the child is unique - half matches the mother and half matches the father.
The process is repeated several times, with each probe identifying a different area in the DNA and producing a distinct pattern. Using several probes, greater than 99.9% certainty about paternity or identity can be achieved.
(The information provided on this handout came from the website of DNA Diagnostic Center, www.dnacenter.com)
