Choosing a Lab that's right for you In the United States, paternity
testing has become a major industry. More than 220,000
paternity tests are performed here each year. In a country
where 30% of births are to single mothers, and 15% of
fathers of record are not the biological father, the
large number of tests is not surprising. With the onset
of the internet and the growth of biotechnology; a lot
of paternity testing labs have emerged to meet this
growing demand. How can you make an educated decision
when selecting a lab?
Here are some important questions
to consider when choosing a paternity testing lab:
1. Is
the lab AABB Parentage Testing Committee accredited
for DNA parentage testing?
AABB accreditation follows an intensive review and inspection of laboratory policies and procedures by
the Inspection and Accreditation Committee of the Association, and establishes that the level of technical
and administrative performances within the DNA Identity Testing Laboratory meets or exceeds the standards
set by the AABB. Only 48% of paternity testing labs have this accreditation. If you obtain paternity
testing from a lab without this accreditation; the results may not be reliable or acceptable for legal
purposes.
Genelex has been A ABB accredited for DNA parentage testing since 1992. The American Association of Blood
Banks can be contacted by phone at (301) 215-6584or by e-mail atnikkib@aabb.orgto confirm a lab's accreditation.
2.
Do the customer service representatives answer all of
your questions and make you feel comfortable with every
step of the testing procedure?
DNA paternity testing is often an emotional issue for the parties involved. Make certain that the
representatives you deal with listen to, understand and address your needs. Genelex staff will explain
our paternity testing services and procedures in language you can understand. We'll track your case
and keep you informed of your progress every step of the way. You can see what other customers have
to say about us at www.genelex.com/paternitytestimonials.html.
3. Does the paternity testing
lab adhere to any other quality assurance standards?
Ask the lab what other quality assurance programs they have in place especially if you will be using the
results for legal reasons. Results from a laboratory with more than one type of quality assurance in place
have a history of high courtroom acceptance.
Genelex is one of only a handful of labs that also has Accreditation by the American Society of Crime
Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD LAB) in forensic DNA testing. In addition,
Genelex has completed more than forty external proficiency tests by the College of American Pathologists
and Collaborative Testing Services and hundreds of blind tests as required by our convicted offender
DNA databank contracts.
4. Does the lab offer the payment
and testing options that you need?
Be certain that the paternity testing lab you are dealing with offers the options you need. Many labs on
the internet only offer home tests which are not considered legally binding. If you are obtaining a test for
any other reason than peace of mind, be sure to obtain a fully documented paternity test.
A standard paternity test is performed with samples from the alleged father and child; the mother's sample
is helpful but not required. If you are in need of a more complicated parentage test, be certain that the
laboratory you are dealing with has experience in this area.
Many people are on a budget and may not be able to afford the entire fee at one time. If this is a
consideration, always ask about the payment options available.
Genelex offers the widest spectrum of parentage tests available including DNA home tests, fully documented,
motherless testing, prenatal paternity testing, CVS (chorionic cillus sample) testing, kinship analysis,
sibship analysis, newborn or umbilical cord testing, and deceased paternity testing. We also have extensive
experience with non-standard samples such as old blood stains, bones, toothbrushes, and used kleenex.
In addition we accept all major credit cards, checks, money orders, checks-by-phone, and cash. We offer a
convenient payment plan and financing options.
If the test is being performed for legal
purposes, does the lab have a history of high legal
acceptance?
The acceptance of DNA testing varies from state-to-state. (For more information on DNA testing decisions
in your state, see our book DNA in the Courtroom: A Trial Watchers Guide atwww.genelex.com/book.html)
In order to ensure that the results of the test will hold up in court; ask the lab for specific examples
of their courtroom testimony and acceptance record. Ask if their testing has ever been ruled inadmissable.
Genelex testing has held up under Supreme Court Review and was key to the settlement of the widely publicized
$800,000,000 Larry Hillblom Estate. Our paternity DNA testing and testimony has been used to resolve cases
involving child support and child custody, immigration, insurance, inheritance, intellectual property,
and serious criminal charges.
Founded in 1987, Genelex Corporation is accredited by
the AABB Parentage Testing Committee in DNA parentage testing since 1992
and is Washington State Medical Test Site No. MTS-3919 CLIA No. 50D0980559.
Genelex has New York State Department of Health Accreditation for DNA
Testing. Genelex complies with United States Food and Drug Administration
regulations covering Good Laboratory (21 CFR 58) and Good Manufacturing
(21 CFR 211) Practices and has contributed to the validation of National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Materials.
