FAMILY REUNION  Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Paternity testing isn't always biological mother vs. dad. In the case of Sketekete Madondo, from South Africa, he's hoping the results of DNA testing from him and his wife will reconnect them with their now 16-year old son. The boy was allegedly abducted when he was only three-months old. Madondo is suffering from a terminal illness and thought he'd never get to see his son again. Thanks to DNA testing, he's one step closer to his dream becoming a reality.

[IOL]

THE CLOCK IS TICKING  Sunday, July 6, 2008

Relationships are a matter of trust and if you have even the slightest doubt the biological mother has not been forthcoming, it can lead to problems in the future that will have a financial consequence. Many states have a statute of limitations in which an alleged biological father can request a DNA paternity test. After that period has expired, you are required to accept the responsibilities of parenthood, including child support, even if later DNA testing proves differently. Avon Alston, a truck driver from Franklin County, North Carolina, has literally been paying the price for 16 years because he took the biological mother's word for truth. He has twice tried to submit DNA test results proving he is not the biological father to the boy for whom he's paid child support all these years. North Carolina law requires DNA paternity testing to be done within the first 60 days a child is born. In Alston's case, the relationship with the biological mother was brief but he believed her and wanted "to do the right thing". Obtaining a DNA test before acknowledging paternity should have been Alston's first step.
[The News & Observer]
[Lawyers.com]

ONE IN TEN  Friday, July 4, 2008

According to Charles Lee, director of cytogenetics at the Harvard Cancer Center, one in ten men are not their children's biological fathers, as reported at last week's Beyond Genome conference in San Francisco. Researchers at the center conduct paternity testing as part of their standard genetic tests, which is how the findings were discovered. Rates this high are cause for concern. With statistics this alarmingly high, you need an effective test with reliable results. If you think you're part of that 10 percent, Orchid Cellmark can help you get a trustworthy answer to this life-altering question.

[Technology Review]

BE CAREFUL OF THE $99 PATERNITY TEST  Wednesday, July 2, 2008

While searching online for a DNA/ Paternity Test you have more than likely come across companies that say they can perform the test for $99, some even for $89. The Orchid Cellmark company has been performing genetic testing since 1979 and knows how important it is to individuals and the future of their family to perform these tests accurately and with board certified accreditations. Orchid Cellmark has been accredited through the AABB accreditation program since 1985.

You would not be searching for a qualified solution if this situation did not hang heavy on your mind. This is certainly no time to be taking risks using an unqualified and unproven laboratory. Orchid does not release results until it has analyzed the samples two times and compared the independently tested results to be a match. More importantly, Orchid’s primary goal is to provide you with accurate results and the highest quality service in an expedient manner, and will not cut corners or jeopardize the quality of the test to do so.

Do it right the first time so that you and your family will have confidence in your results and your next steps will be the right ones.