Posted on 03/29/2008 8:43:32 PM PDT by neverdem
An over-the-counter DNA paternity test now offers unknowing families peace of mind - in every state but New York.
Identigene, a Salt Lake City-based genetics company, released an at-home paternity test this month, giving mothers and their offspring a speedy answer to a difficult question.
Unsure mothers swab the inside of their child's mouth - and the mouth of the suspected father - then send the swabs to Salt Lake City for testing.
Three to five days later, customers can log on to a secure Web site to view the results. Identigene discards the DNA after six months, but keeps the results on file for five years.
But in New York, state law says DNA testing has to be court-ordered or prescribed by a doctor.
Identigene executive Doug Fogg says he's working with New York's Department of Health to get around the DNA-testing law, and hopes to have kits available on Big Apple shelves later this year.
The problem, he said, is New York considers DNA testing diagnostic, as opposed to a pregnancy test, which the state treats more like a thermometer.
"[Identigene] introduces a very convenient and affordable option for individuals looking to establish the paternity of a child," Fogg said.
"In fact, we're finding that many people purchased the kit for someone they know that needs the test," he said, noting that those types of purchases make up about 30 percent of their sales.
The DNA paternity test sells at Rite Aid stores across the country for $29.99, plus $119.99 for lab-processing fees. Running similar tests on other suspected dads costs extra.
The collection kit includes cotton swabs, containers for the samples and envelopes addressed to the lab.
Experts say the test is about 99 percent accurate.
"This is not designed for legal purposes," Fogg said...
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
What do the unsure "fathers" do?
Drive across the river to Joisy and plunk it in a mailbox.
“What do the unsure “fathers” do?”
Just shut up and pay the child support!;)
I’m sure the “unsure father” market is larger than the “unsure mother” market
Someone correct me here. I was under the impression that mom, dad and the baby had to be tested via DNA to confirm paternity. Anyone have a link I can read up on??
I wonder if this has anything to do with Spitzer.
I get it. The “unsure mother” gets the kit to confirm the baby is not her husbands. Then she moves into full deception mode until clock runs out for him to demand a paternity test
No doubt a Spitzer initiative.
This test is going to make a lot of women nervous.
Why would the mother be tested to determine paternity? By definition, she’s not involved in that part of the equation.
Afraid who they may find related to Bill Klinton and Al Sharpton?
New York, eh? Given the current and immediate past governor can’t keep it in their pants, why am I not surprised?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
What do the unsure "fathers" do?
Collect the samples when the mother's not around. If the kid's not his, he should consider confronting mom with the results and consulting an attorney. If the kid is his, he should be a good father and never tell mom or the kid that he had the test done.
-PJ
What I understood was all three parties dna were needed to be conclusive.
Bound to be a marriage strengthener.
Gee, maybe they can do a reality TV show about this. We've sunken lower than that before.
What, the mother, the real father, and the suspected father?
I wonder how many divorces are going to be filed nation wide as a result of this.
And how many child support orders are going to be challenged? If the Over the Counter test says not the daddy, then can the man then at least get a lawyer order a legal test?
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