DNA testing is a powerful tool that is commonly used in law enforcement and in the medical profession. Only recently has the world of DNA testing been opened up for private in home use. Now you can gain important answers quickly without having to make an embarrassing trip to the doctor’s office.
Home DNA testing provides answers. It can help you determine if you are the father of a child. If you want to know if you are predisposed for a variety of different medical conditions, home DNA testing will be able to help. Home DNA testing allows you to get the answers that you need on your schedule, without having to make a long visit to a doctor’s office.
The results to home DNA testing kits are available quickly and are easy to understand. In fact, generally results are received in less than a week. Test information and results are clearly displayed and easy to understand. In fact, the whole process for home DNA testing is simple.
Typically, home DNA test kits require a simple three step process. First, a sample of DNA is collected. You will do this yourself using the tools provided in the kit. There is no need for needles or a blood sample, simply swab the inside of your cheek to remove DNA rich cells painlessly. DNA test kits used for determining if a child is yours will also require a second swab for the child in question.
After swabbing is completed, the samples are almost ready to submit. Simply place the swab or swabs into enclosed bags and seal. The sealed bags are placed into a provided mailing container. Once everything is in place, simply mail the package into a lab for processing and wait for the results.
Results are quickly obtained. In fact, they are often ready in as little as two or three days. You can receive your results in a variety of methods; simply choose the delivery method that is right for you. Results can be obtained by phone, email, or standard mail.
These tips will help you to choose the perfect home DNA test kit for you.
- There are no established guidelines for DNA lab regulation. Home tests and their quality will vary from lab to lab. Choose your test from an accredited lab to ensure quality results. Choosing the least expensive test kit may not be the best idea. The American Association of Blood Banks or the AABB only offers their accreditation to the best labs. Choosing a lab accredited by this association will guarantee accurate results.
- The best companies offer customer service provided by skilled and knowledgeable representatives. Call customer service before purchasing a kit and make sure any company you are considering has a well trained, informative staff. They should be friendly and available.
- Purchase kits directly from labs. Some companies sell testing kits and then contract with labs for processing. Choosing a kit offered directly from an accredited lab means that you will have complete control of where your kit is processed. Additionally, this makes getting results again much easier. The lab will have a record of your test which you can easily access for years to come if needed. If you choose a test kit offered by a company rather than a lab, getting copies of results may be difficult especially if one of the parties has gone out of business.
- Choose a well rounded lab. Labs that specialize in DNA testing in a variety of applications are often the best labs. Choose a lab that processes home kits in addition to other forms of testing. This often means that your lab is monitored and regulated by state and governmental agencies. Since home DNA test kits have no guidelines or regulation, choosing a lab with other contracts is necessary to ensure that they are being tested and monitored on a regular basis.
