Choosing a paternity test can be a confusing ordeal. Not only is the terminology describing the ins and outs of each test complicated, but the sheer number of different tests to choose from makes it difficult to decide which one is the best for you. Couple this with the explosion of services providers over the last 5 years and it can be a daunting task just knowing where to begin. To simplify matters lets compare 14 of the more prominent paternity testing companies and some of the features that you should be considering when making your decision. We’ve analyzed these companies using 6 different criteria that we think are critical to deciding which company fits you best. Click through for the full guide to choosing the right company.
How many Different Types of Tests do they offer?
This is first factor you should consider in choosing a paternity testing company. Does the company offer the test you want? This ranges from 11 different tests (Genlex) to 1 test, usually the simple paternity test with samples collected from the father, mother and child. Testing options can be far more wide ranging from prenatal testing of the child’s DNA through to siblings, grandparents, and even deceased individuals.
How much will a DNA Paternity test cost?
No matter what test you’re looking for you’ll need to factor in how much you can afford to spend. From the chart you can see we’ve tabulated the cost of the cheapest test that each of the companies offer. The lowest offering is $89 from Metaphase Genetics and the highest is $475 from the DNA Diagnostics Center. The tests in this category are usually the simplest test with the simplest analysis and minimal support. As a general rule you get what you pay for with the higher minimum prices providing more support and stringent analysis. The chart lists the minimum prices, but the costs can skyrocket quite quickly though with some testing options topping $3000 with professional legal guarantees. Beware of some advertised prices – always check to see if the cost they are displaying prominently includes shipping, sample post processing, analysis, and other “hidden” fees.
How long will it take to get the test result?
If you are taking a paternity test then this is probably in the forefront of your mind. Testing speed has increased dramatically over the last 5 years, so you no longer have to wait months for an answer. Gene Sys and the DNA testing Center top our time category with results in as little as 1 day. Taking this option however will dramatically increase the cost of the test. The average time to result after they receive your samples is 4 days.
What happens after I get my test results?
You’ve paid for the test and gotten your report. It’s complicated, it contains a lot of technical jargon and other than the one paragraph summary about the % relatedness of sample A to samples B and C it’s hard to know what it all means. You should be getting help from the company who administered the test. Can they explain it to you and do they have certified staff to go through it with you? In most cases the answer is No. Some companies do offer online support and even forums where you can discuss your report with other customers, in which case we’ve rated the support as Medium. If you still feel unsure try a company with a High level of post test support, with lots of follow up and genetic counselors if you need them.
Who has my samples now?
This is an often overlooked issue, but it is of critical importance to your privacy. It’s hard to know what future legislation is going to be passed into law regarding your genetic information and at the moment it’s a little bit like the Wild West. Will health insurance companies get hold of your samples in the future and use the information within them to decide your insurance status? Can your employer? Will your relatives have access to your sample? The only way to be sure that none of these ever happen is to not make it an option. This category of the chart lists what is the default action of the paternal testing company, whether it is storage for a year or more or immediate destruction of your sample after testing.
How trustworthy and reliable is the company?
As we hinted in the category above, the regulations governing this expanding business are not well defined as yet. One way that is available to measure performance is accreditation. There are a few different agencies that provide accreditation but we’re looking at just one in this list: The AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks). This certainly isn’t a definitive measure or the only thing you should be considering in which company to trust, and lack of accreditation by the AABB also shouldn’t be reason for exclusion alone. The best course is to contact the testing company that you’re interested in and ask them why they aren’t accredited when some of their competition is.
In the end you have a lot of options in choosing a paternity testing company, and the more options you have the better. This business niche is expanding rapidly and the list we have provided is by no means exhaustive. The chart is ordered in alphabetical order so you should asses the categories below to determine which Paternity Testing Company works best for your situation. Also you shouldn’t consider the inclusion of any of the companies we listed as an endorsement over others. What you should do though is use the categories we’ve used here to ask if the company you’re interested in offers what you need. If you are still unsure of what to do, then you should always consult your doctor for advice.
No comments:
Post a Comment