There is an urban legend that over thirty percent of all children are not born of their appointed father; instead, they are the products of adultery. Because of this long-standing myth, the idea of a paternity test has been a persistent one in the minds of the public. Here, we will explain what a paternity test actually is and answer questions on how it works to prove who fathered the child.
Why A Paternity Test:
Some question why this test is called a ‘paternity’. The answer is quite simple: unless the mother was impregnated through an egg donation, it’s obvious that she is the mother. The father, however, can be anyone–that is why children are tested against his DNA and not hers.
How Does A Paternity Test Work:
Though there are other methods, DNA testing is the easiest–and most effective–way to test a child for paternity.
DNA is unique for each individual but, when sexual reproduction occurs, an embryo is created. That embryo is formed by taking genetic material from both parents to create a new string of DNA.
To prove who is the father, one only has to look at the child’s DNA pattern. In it,...