Take Home Paternity Tests Put the Power of Information into the Hands of Consumers

DNA paternity testing becomes more accessible to consumers as they move out of the realm of the doctors office and into the hands of shoppers. Identigene, which was the first lab to offer DNA paternity testing services directly to consumers, has now led the market by being the first to offer DNA paternity test collection kits in drug stores.

The Identigene DNA Test Kit is available in the family planning aisle, where you find pregnancy tests, at CVS, Meijer and Rite Aid. The $29.99 price tag makes it an affordable option to get curious parents started on the path to confirm or refute paternity. An additional $119 laboratory fee is required when you actually send in the material to be tested.

The test has cheek swabs enclosed. You rub the inside of the child's cheek and the possible father's cheek. The swabs are put into separate specimen envelopes that are provided and they are sent in a postage-paid mailing envelope to Identigene. You can choose to have the results delivered via mail or online. You get results in 3 to 5 business days.

The popularity of the product will likely grow because of the privacy issues that most people have with the sensitive subject of just who the daddy is. Many situations occur where one or both of a child's parents are questioning the paternity. Infidelity or involvement with multiple partners within a small time frame also muddy the paternity waters. Just as many people are looking to refute alleged paternity because they are just sure it is not them.

While there is a huge potential market for the product, there is a long list of disadvantages to take home paternity testing. Chiefly among these would be the legal issues, ethics and accuracy of the testing.

Many times paternity is sought to ensure financial support of a child and establish the responsibility of the father. Would a take home paternity test hold up in a court? There is a chance of fraud with these tests, and samples not collected and held in a chain of custody would be subject to question.