With worldwide usage of home DNA paternity tests on the increase, it is important to know what the pros and cons of using such a test are. Modern relationships have changed in trust and structure and there is more demand for scientific clarification of biological relationships.

Advantages of A Home DNA Test

Advances in DNA technology mean that it is now possible to order a DNA testing kit online, wait a couple of days for the kit to be sent to your home, take the samples and post them back. It’s really that simple to do. Once you have selected a DNA company to use, keeping in mind that there are different standards of testing, you will be sent your DNA testing kit in the post.

A typical kit will contain individually coloured oral swabs, which you scrape against the inside cheek of your mouth, in order to remove cheek cells. DNA is contained within these cells and it is important that the sample contains enough of them to produce a good result. It is a simple, pain free procedure, and as long as the instructions are read and followed correctly, delivers results that are accurate and reliable.

The real advantage is that all this can be done in the privacy of your own home, and in your own time. There is no need for doctor appointments or painful blood tests anymore. Once the kit is sent to you and you have taken the necessary samples, you simply pop it back in the post and wait for your results. These will typically take between 5-7 working days and results are sent by email and post.

Disadvantages Of A Home DNA Test

With pros come the cons and there are some issues with home DNA paternity tests. This type of test is what’s known as a “peace of mind” test. In other words, it is purely to satisfy a personal need to know, and has no legal bearing whatsoever. If a person wanted to use the results of a home DNA test in court, it would not be admissible.

Instead, they would need to purchase a legal DNA test, which would involve the samples being taken by a registered nurse or doctor, identification being authenticated and samples sent to the lab by the doctor in question. For more information on legal testing click here

Another big issue with home DNA tests is the question of cheating. It is possible, if unchecked, to submit someone else’s DNA sample. This could occur in cases where a man, or woman, wants to disprove paternity over a child, for example. Unless the samples are taken in the presence of each other and sent off to the lab immediately, it is sometimes difficult to trust that the samples are submitted are accurate.

At easyDNA UK your home DNA testing kit will be sent to you via regular post and should reach you 24 hours after payment has been processed.

easyDNA specialize in the provision of reliable, accurate and confidential DNA tests to confirm father child relationship. To contact us with further questions please email [email protected].