Genetic testing is a beneficial tool for determining close family relationships. DNA technology can be beneficial when full or half-siblingship is uncertain. It can also be used to determine whether twins are identical or fraternal. When planning for sibling DNA testing, there are several steps that can be taken to improve the accuracy of the results.
1. Add the Mother to the DNA Testing Process.
Collecting a DNA sample from the mother of the children and including that information with the results allows her specific DNA to be excluded when comparing that of the children. When her information is identified, the remaining details can be more accurately compared to one another and potential fathers. For children that are adopted, if the known parent is the father, the same benefits are available.
2. Include Additional Relatives when Necessary.
If for some reason the possible father is unavailable to provide a DNA sample, other family members may be an acceptable alternative. Grandparentage tests and avuncular tests are not as precise, but can provide results that show a high statistical probability of being related.
3. Choose a Gender-specific Test for Males.
If the test will compare two or more children who are both male, a specific test can be more accurate than a generic one. The mtDNA test can evaluate the mitochondrial DNA that is passed from the mother to all offspring, male or female. However, for males, the Y-STR test will measure the paternal line that all males pass to their male offspring.
4. Use a Home Test for Distant Locations.
If siblings do not live near one another and are unable to come to a testing facility, a home test can still be done. Each sibling can contribute a DNA sample that is mailed in a home testing kit. The test results are just as accurate. It is important to note that a home DNA kit is not admissible in court for legal proceedings such as inheritance.
5. Understand the Results.
Often the results from a DNA test can be confusing or seem inconclusive. What a test determines is the percentage of genetic material that is identical. When two people have a certain amount of DNA in common, it is highly likely that the two are related. Accuracy improves when a greater number of individuals are included. Other non-genetic information can help verify the accuracy of a test.
sibling dna testing can be beneficial in many circumstances. It is widely accepted when determining paternity, but there are many other practical applications. This type of test can be incredibly helpful for adopted children who believe they may have found a sibling, but do not know the parentage.
