DNA Testing

Question: DNA testing? Exactly how does DNA testing work? Is it true that if a forensic scientist took one strand of my hair, he would know my complete DNA profile? Is it true for example that if I lick a stamp, forty years from now, a scientist can gather an incomplete portrait of my DNA?

Answer: The answer provided is partially true. However, we do not use radioactive materials and for the most part gel electrophoresis is not used. Capillary electrophoresis is used. These are outdated techniques from a forensic standpoint. We also do not make a copy of the entire DNA for an individual. We examine certain areas of interest. We don't examine areas that tell what color eyes or what color hair someone has. It is not a copy of the complete genetic profile for a human. It is possible from one strand of hair to obtain a complete DNA profile from the forensic scientist point of view. The same is also possible from a stamp . There are lots of variables, but it may be possible to obtain a complete forensic DNA profile from an item as old as or older than 40 years.

Question: DNA Testing? I have a really good friend who thinks that the child his ex wife has may not be his. How does he go about DNA testing through the court system? They were living separately when she became pregnant and he has many reasons to believe that she may have become pregnant by another man while he was away serving his time in the Air Force. Thank you but he isnt really iterested in the sensationalism. He just wants to do what is right by the child ~ either way it turns out. He's been paying but she refuses to let him see the child. Its been several years and he is unable to pay for an attorney to get his visitation enforced.

Answer: Going thru the courts is his best option. What state is this happening in? Depending on the state he's in and on whether he's already paying for child support or not, he'll have to ask for a modification of the order directing him to pay or he'll have to initiate a paternity suit himself. In any case, he should probably talk to a family law attorney.

Question: dna testing...? ok i dont know my father and i have a pretty good idea who it is. i live in gillett pa its near troy elmira and towanda. im wondering if there are any dna testing sites or something like that that i can tested. now i dont want him to know im doing so i would just get a hair or something and mail it or something. can you name the address the person and other info so i can contact them?? please help!!

Answer: walgreens or happy harry's both have take home tests or Labcorp

Question: Dna Testing???? Im going to take a dna test and I know about all that the Y-Chromosone is from fater to son only and MTdna is from mother to child. Im curious about my grandpa's dna on my moms side, so because he had no boys as children that I cant know his DNA?

Answer: Everyone has Dna. Mitochondra. is from your mother and females but men have DNA as well

Question: Dna testing?? Is there any possible way a dna test can be altered by the father so that the results come back negative?

Answer: For a DNA test to come back negative, the sample would have to come from another man. I believe that for some DNA tests, they take a sample of cells from the inside of the cheek. So, the only way for you to fool the test would be to have another man's DNA on the inside of your mouth...I'm going to stop typing now because this is getting dirtier than I intended...

Question: What dna test is right for testing paternal grandmothers ancestry? I am tracking my paternal grandmother's ancestry and have hit a roadblock. I'd like to do dna testing to see, but I'm not sure which test would give me the correct results-admixture? Also, does it matter if it's a female or male descendant who does the test? Since they're expensive tests, I want to make sure we do it correctly! Thanks!

Answer: I consider mtDNA and Y-chromosome testing as having more anthropological value than genealogical. The new autosomal "Family Finder" test at Family Tree DNA holds more potential value, as the database builds. I have not checked into the autosomal tests offered at Sorensen yet. They will all depend on how large the existing databases with which to compare your results to, becomes. In the past Sorensen has not shared the databases they have. If they continue this the test will be of little value. GeneTree is selling Sorensens results in small pieces and with speculative results. GeneTree, rather than testing the haplogroup's defining markers, is 'predicting' them with dubious results. None can yet give you the names of your kin. They will give you a bunch of numbers and letters and wish you luck.

Question: What is the most accredited ancestral dna testing company to use? I want to do ancestral dna testing to prove what i found doing my family history. What is the best company to go through, cause I know there are some phonies out there. Any ideas?

Answer: The best? No idea. For what you're looking for, I'd probably go with familytreedna.com Interpret the results with caution, though. Edit: Actually, more interesting might be participation in the Genographic Project. However, note that they only do mtDNA (HV1 only) or 12 Y-STRs. https://genographic.nationalgeographic.c…

Question: What do you think about DNA testing to select sports people? There is a certain gene in a human body which tells you whether you suited to sprint or endurance sports. DNA testing can also check whether you are pronr to a certain disease or illness. Do you think it should be compulsory for pesons to be tested at, birth or a certain age for these genes for Australia to achieve it's best at all sporting events? What is your opinion? Does your religion agree/disagree with it? Do you think it is Morally or Ethically correct? Do you think it would cause Discrimination? Elitism?

Answer: Sounds like shades of Hitler, lookin for the Master Race. Me, I want no part of it. What's next, DNA testing to be a _____? You (et al) fill in the blanks.

Question: How much does dog DNA testing cost in the state of Massachusetts? Wanted to know exactually what breed my dog is. I live in Auburn, MA and I have a 12 week old 'Shiba Inu'. I drove down to VA for her so wanted to make sure that she was what I bargined for. If anyones knows about DNA testing around my area or ur own and how much approximately the cost of the proceedure answers would be appreciated. Thank you.

Answer: You can get a DNA test test done from the AKC for $40, but it will not prove the dog's breed. There is no such DNA test available to prove breed. DNA testing will only prove parentage from dogs who already have DNA profiles. The DNA Profile Program is a voluntary program the fancy can use to strengthen their breeding programs. Participants receive an AKC DNA Profile with the dog's registration information, owner's name, DNA Profile Number, and the dog's actual genotype. In others words, if the parents do not have DNA profiles on file, you're out of luck.

Question: What is best prenatal dna testing during pregnancy? I am only 4 weeks pregnant and have 2 possiblities that could be the father. I need dna testing asap before baby is born.

Answer: The only way to do DNA testing before the baby is born is when you have the amnio done. I am not having an amnio because of how invasive it is. If I were you, I'd wait until the baby is born...

Question: What is the best company to use for ancestral DNA Testing? Does anybody have any ideas of what would be the best company to go through for Ancestral DNA Testing. There are so many, and I don't know which is the most accreditted. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Answer: Katie, Here is a good introduction to the field with names of some reputable companies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_gen… As you can see, the article talks about Prof. Michael Hammer as a pioneer in the field. Prof. Hammer's FamilytreeDNA Labs in Houston has the biggest database. http://www.familytreedna.com/ I would also recommend reading the books 'Journey of Man' and 'Inside the Genographic Project' by Dr. Spencer Wells http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Wel… before investing in any expensive testing. He has a PhD from Harvard and worked at Stanford University with the best minds in the field, such as Luigi Cavalli Sforza http://med.stanford.edu/profiles/Luigi_C… Currently, he is the director of the Genographic Project sponsored by National Geographic and IBM. His books are easy to understand for people without PhDs in genetics. They helped me build an understanding of the field.

Question: How can I get a free Ethnicity DNA Testing? I would like to know my true ethnicity and I want to test my DNA. How can I get a FREE Ethnicity DNA Testing? If I have to pay for the testing, about how much will it cost? Also, what are some trusted websites or companies you can suggest?

Answer: None of them are free. SMGF does do free Y & Mitochondrial. They won't give you an analysis. However, Y & Mitochondrial will no way give you your total ethnicity. There are 3 types of DNA. Y is passed from father to son. Mitochondrial is passed from mother to both sons and daughters but only the daughters pass it on to their children. Autosomal which is what most of your DNA is. You have 46 chromosmes, 23 from each parent, 44 of the 46 are made up of Autosomal DNA. You get Autosomal 50-50 from both parents and therefore 50% from your paternal grandparents and 50% from your maternal grandparents but what you inherited from grandmother and grandfather on both sides of the family will not be an even mix. Therefore you do not get 25% from each of your 4 grandparents. How you inherited this bias will not be how your siblings inherited it unless you have an identical twin. Now in genealogy people use Y & Mitochondrial as they both go back in a straight line unchanged unless there was a mutation some place in the distant past. They are helpful in genealogy enabling people to match themselves with another and their family tree. To use them any other way is a waste of money because they represent a tiny part of your DNA and a tiny part of your ancestry. In each generation you go back you get your Y from only one person and your Mitochondrial from only one person. Therefore if you get back to your 16 great great grandparents, 14 of them will not be included. One company that does Y & Mitochondrial for genealogy purposes advertises they will help you discover your "deep ancestral roots." It is true in those 2 lines only they will assign you to a Haplogroup and show you the origin of your nomadic ancestors going back thousands of years but you come from a vast myriad of family lines. However, if you are using them with family research and you match yourself with others, you no doubt will discover some of the left out people. The oldest company doing Y & Mitochondrial is http://www.FamilyTreeDNA.com When you go into their website, if you go under feedback there is a way you can email them and ask questions. Autosomal is too complicated to use for genealogy purposes. There is one company that has over 900 batches of 100-200 samples of population groups throughout the world. They will take your Autosomal DNA and match you with them showing you your top 20 matches in descending order. How accurate, I don't know. I have no serious quarrel with my results but there were some surprises. You have to understand there are no pure races, nationalities or ethnicities. The same DNA crosses national, racial and ethnic boundaries. Therefore I can see how there can be matches in the top 20 that you have no known ancestors coming from that area. Also I can see if more than one company does the same type tests the results might vary as one might have population samples the other one didn't. Also there can be some people unhappy with the results because they have views of certain types of people being inferior or superior and if those they think are inferior are in the top 20 their nose might be out of joint. The only company in the U.S. that I know of that does this type of testing is http://www.DNATribes.Com When you go into their website if you go under "feedback" there is a way you can email them and ask questions. Now I asked DNATribes if my sister with whom I share both parents had the same Autosomal tests would her results be the same and they replied. "Family members do typically share some regional or ethnic genetic affiliations, but in some cases matches can vary substantially between siblings." I also asked DNATribes if they could break down the results between both parents and they replied: "To isolate each parent's genetic contribution in each case, it is necessary to test at least one parent as well."

Question: How to tell sex of a quaker besides dna testing? I have a 2 year old Quaker that I would love to find a mate for. Is there anyway to tell its sex besides dna testing?

Answer: There is no way to tell just by looking at the outside appearance of the bird if that's what you're hoping for. Quaker's sex can only be determined by DNA or surgical vent sexing. Is your Quaker hand tame and bonded to you? If so, understand that getting another quaker may change his/her personality. Or, it may not accept another quaker. If you want to keep your quaker friendly towards you should consider keeping separate caging, and allow play time outside of their cage. I'm sure you've done your research, but also know that it is recommended that your new buddy should be quarantined in a different room from your current Quaker for 30 days. Oh yeah, I also suggest http://www.quakerparrots.com It has a lot of good information on quakers and there's also a forum with many experienced owners to answer quaker questions. :0)

Question: Has anyone had experience with DNA testing for their mixed breed dog to discover it's breed in Chicago? I've got a once in a lifetime dog that has been in my family 15 years. When I take him out for walks, people are drawn to him and constantly ask what breed he is. My guess is Tibetian terrier and medium Schnauzer, but I'd really like to know for sure. Is there a vet or a lab in Chicago where I can take him for DNA testing that anybody knows about?

Answer: I know there are places you can take your dog if you were told it was a purebred and you don't think it's a purebred. I'm sure there are places you can take a mixed breed. But it probably cost a lot of money. I've always wanted to have my dogs DNA tested. Because we were told that our two dogs were purebreds and they had puppies and the one we kept looks like a black golden retriever because she's so scruffy. But we don't care what kind of dogs they are we love them just as much. This is a quote I got from a website: "Genetics are a big deal in the world of purebred animals. The American Kennel Club has long offered DNA testing to confirm parentage — at $40 a test — using a cheek swab. The club keeps a DNA library of over 100,000 dogs on file, allowing breeders to investigate pedigree claims."

Question: What are the consequences of not appearing for required dna testing? The father of my child and I were both required to appear for dna testing at the Child Support building to establish paternity for our child.I appeared with the baby,however he did not appear. What happens from here? the lab staff did collect the dna samples from the baby and I

Answer: If he was court ordered to submit to a DNA test and did not appear..then he would be in comtempt of a court order and face jail time. There could be a warrant out for his arrest.

Question: Where can I get low cost DNA testing to determine my racial heritage? What test should I do? I know that my ancestry is mixed and I have no way to determine who my ancestors were by asking family members. I just want to find out what things I could be mixed with by doing DNA testing thats accurate and at a reasonable price that is not too expensive. I don`t know what test I should take.

Answer: you're looking for an ancestry test. That will give you percentages. The price varies. Just use google and put in dna testing. You'll come up with loads of sites. Just email some and see if they do the test and the cost. It is pricey.

Question: Will DNA testing eventually tell us what an unknown suspect looks like in a criminal case? It's not unusual for unknown suspects to leave behind DNA evidence at crime scenes. Often it takes years for the DNA to be linked to a particular person, and it's often because the suspect in question has had encounters with the authorities in other cases and has submitted DNA samples. Will DNA testing eventually enable us to tell what the carrier of the DNA looks like, even if we can't put a name with the DNA?

Answer: In some police cases it already does. Especially if they already have pictures of a suspect the DNA belongs too. I feel getting a picture will be hard from the evidence itself. Who knows years from now it may be a lot easier.

Question: where can i have DNA testing for plants done? i heard the only way to tell if two plants that look the same are in fact the same one or not is through DNA testing. where can one get this done and how much does it cost? and is there a library of DNA plant information that can be used for identification purposes? for example, if i have a hybrid plant cultivar but without a name (or the wrong name), i would like to tell what its real cultivar name is.

Answer: The sources below offer services along the lines you are asking about. They are fairly expensive, I'm sure. There are doubtless more, but I did only a cursory search of Google.

Question: Does anyone know a reliable company that does DNA testing? We would like to have a paternity test done on a member of my family to solve a 50 year old rumour. Both potential fathers are still alive. I know some internet companies offer DNA testing, but are any of them reliable? How would be go about getting a reliable test?

Answer: Both for practical and economical reasons, (and also for legal reasons, if it ever came to that), these tests should be performed in accredited laboratories. Go to your GP and ask him/her. He/she will make you pay, true, but he will send your blood to your local hospital, where it will be shipped to their usual laboratory.

Question: what is false positive and false negative in a dna testing for paternity? i heard about false positive, and false negative in dna testing, what is that. tried to look for explanation but did not find a specific one. some explain that could be the father but shows negative,or shows positive is but is not the father.

Answer: This is news to me. I always thought it was foolproof. I did a search and it says that if there are 2 possible fathers, and they are biologically related, then a positive can be achieved for both. So there would have to be the mother's testing, and both possibilities and a comparison. Beside that, I found nothing else.