DNA Testing Services:
How to Find DNA Testing Services
You may be looking to have DNA tests done for a variety of reasons, including testing for paternity or just finding out more about your ancestry. Whatever your reason there are a number of locations both online and available locally in most areas that can assist you with your DNA testing needs. In this article we'll look at how to find such services and also talk about some of the pros and cons of each.
For most people the number one reason they wish to have DNA testing done is for paternity reasons. In most cases this type of testing requires the use of local DNA testing services that the court mandates because of the need for supervised testing to ensure the correct samples are being submitted for analysis. In such cases the court will usually provide a list of approved local facilities that can be used, or may prescribe a particular service to be used directly. On the other hand, if paternity testing is being done for curiosity, and does not involve the courts, most people choose to go with at-home testing services in which they simply submit samples via the mail and wait for results to be mailed back to them.
Pricing is one of the major reasons that many people turn to at-home testing services when doing what is termed in the industry “curiosity” tests. Many people are interested in their ancestry, where they came from geographically and other such issues. Many of these tests are currently only performed by at-home testing services that allow the customer to mail in samples to be tested and reported on. Many local facilities do not participate in this curiosity testing as it is not formally recognized by many medical professionals.
If you are looking at an at-home testing service you only need to look as far as your nearest web browser. Hundreds of at-home companies are available and they advertise almost exclusively online. The average price for a test is $115 - $200, depending on what is being tested. The companies will send you a small kit (usually free of charge) to collect cell samples from your cheek through the use of a buccal swab. Some companies also allow you to submit hair samples, but the hair itself must still contain the root in order for them to extract DNA. You simply collect the samples using the materials provided and mail them back to the lab. In about 3-4 weeks you receive the results back in the mail.
Local services can be found by talking with your doctor or sometimes a quick search in the Yellow Pages under the heading of “Medical Testing Services”. These facilities tend to charge considerably more for their services ($250 and up in most locations) but they do collect the samples and provide a more controlled environment in which to do the testing. In addition, they adhere to strict privacy policies as defined by HIPPA – something that not all at-home testing services do.
If you want to get DNA testing done, first decide for what reason you want to get it done for. If it is for a legal issue then it is best to consult with your lawyer or doctor who can give you advice on which method is accepted by the court. If it is for mere curiosity you should be aware that most local services that are run by medical facilities do not do “curiosity testing” and will refer you to either independent laboratories or to at-home testing services.