Details about the test
GTL’s highly accurate non-invasive test is considered as one of the most advanced prenatal paternity tests across the globe. Starting at your 10th week of pregnancy (8 weeks past conception), you can confirm the paternity of the unborn child with an accuracy level of 99.9%. The non-invasive test requires a blood sample of more than 7 ml from the mother which needs to be collected via a blood draw by a qualified person. A sample of cheek cells (collected using mouth swabs) from the alleged father is also needed. Genetic Testing Laboratories is offering this highly scientific test at competitive rates, starting from $1595!
Results are available within 10 to 15 working days.
Why choose non-invasive testing?
Pregnant mothers who need to confirm the paternity of their unborn baby can opt for procedures like amniocentesis or Chorionic villus sampling. However, these procedures are far from pleasant to undergo; they require insertion of syringes into your womb and they carry multiple risks such as miscarriage, leakage of the amniotic fluid or damage to the baby’s limbs. With the non-invasive prenatal paternity test, you have none of these worries: a simple medical blood draw anytime beginning from your 10th week of pregnancy and we can confirm whether the tested male is the biological father of your baby.
How accurate are the test results?
This test is considered as one of the most accurate tests of this type on the market. Therefore, the results are as accurate as science can get and will highlight one of two possibilities:
- The alleged father cannot be excluded as the biological father. In this case, the tested male is the biological father and it will be confirmed with a 99.9% probability.
- The alleged father is excluded as the biological father of the baby. In such a case, the tested male is not the biological father and he will be excluded with a 100% probability.
You can read the terms and conditions of the non-invasive prenatal paternity test.
How does this DNA test work?
This bioinformatics-based prenatal test relies on the analysis of what scientists call cell-free fetal DNA. The analysis of cell-free fetal DNA makes this test much more accurate than other non-invasive prenatal tests which use fetal DNA that is still enclosed in the fetal cells (nucleated fetal DNA). It is important to note that a prenatal paternity test which analyses cell-enclosed DNA carries a chance of misdiagnosis. On the contrary, there is a 0% chance of misdiagnosis with GTL’s prenatal paternity test that uses cell-free DNA.
This prenatal test uses Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology to analyse 2,688 genetic markers known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These advanced methods of analysis not only help us distinguish the fetus’s DNA from that of the mother but it also enables us to provide you with the accurate results you need.
GTL’s prenatal paternity test cannot be conducted in cases of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), twin or multiple pregnancies, less than 10 weeks pregnancy (8 weeks past conception) or when the alleged fathers are close blood relatives. The test also cannot be conducted when the mother is suffering from cancer or pre-eclampsia or has had a recent blood transfusion, bone marrow, organ transplant or stem cell therapy.
Do you need help finding a phlebotomist?
Do not worry, we can help! The company is offering a blood sample collection service in conjunction with a specialised third-party provider. The fee of $239 covers the majority of locations, however, it can increase depending on the coverage of the phlebotomist in your area. If you order this service and there is an additional fee you will be informed via e-mail prior to the kit being sent out. Please note that the additional fee cannot be quoted on the phone. Should you be interested in this service, please select the respective option when ordering the test.
FAQs
| How do I collect the DNA sample? |
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| How many weeks pregnant must I be to take the test? |
| Should both fathers be tested? |
| Can previous pregnancies or miscarriages affect my test results? |
| Will the test results indicate the gender of the child? |
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How do I collect the DNA sample? A qualified person such as a doctor or a nurse is required to collect the blood sample for this test. However, the alleged father’s sample (cheek cells) can be collected by the test participants themselves following the instructions provided in the kit. Once both samples are collected, they need to be placed accordingly in the biohazard bag and inserted in the white box provided. The next step is to insert the box into the courier pouch provided and to contact the courier and arrange an appointment to have your samples collected. Please organise to have the samples collected on the same day of collection and within a short period of time as the samples need to return to the laboratory within 5 days. How many weeks pregnant must I be to take the test? The expectant mother must be in at least her 10th week of pregnancy, starting from the first day of your last menstrual period (8 weeks from conception). We cannot directly assist you in confirming how many weeks pregnant you are but we can guide you to a pregnancy calculator. Should both fathers be tested? If the samples for both alleged fathers are available we strongly advise that you send them both. Please note that there is an additional fee of $650 for testing the second father. If the father lives in a different location, Genetic Testing Laboratories can send out a separate kit for a small fee. Can previous pregnancies or miscarriages affect my test results? Fetal DNA is cleared from the maternal bloodstream within a few hours. Because of this, there is no chance of misdiagnosis with our test. However, please note that the test results can be affected by other factors such as the gestational period, mutations in an individual’s DNA, contamination during sample collection, method of sample storage and transportation. Will the test results indicate the gender of the child? This test is not aimed at establishing the gender of the child. |