More than ever, if you are in need of a DNA test, chances are good that you are going to perform that test in your home. Perhaps the biggest reason why is because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With people being encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, anything that can be done at home really should be done there.
That fact extends to something like a home DNA paternity test. You may worry that a DNA paternity test at home is not as official as one done in an office setting, but that could not be further from the truth.
At-home tests are incredibly advanced and people who use them can be confident that the results are 100 percent accurate. But what is there to really know about DNA testing in your home? Continue reading to get the facts. See more.
How do they work?
One really important thing to know about how at-home DNA tests work is that the only thing to really take place at home is the testing portion. The extraction and analysis are always carried out in a professional laboratory. Typically, a test is simply done by swabbing a cotton swab in your mouth for a certain amount of time to make sure that DNA has been properly extracted. Then, the material is safely sent to the lab for analysis. Results can take somewhere between 24 hours and 8 weeks depending on what kind of test you use.
How can you find an at-home test?
There are many different types of home DNA tests, with the three most common places to get one is from a drugstore, from a laboratory, or from a doctor. While all three of these options are considered to be highly accurate, it is important to keep in mind that the results for DNA tests purchased at the store are not admissible in court.
On top of that, because tests administered by doctors and labs are considered to be even more accurate and more official, they are typically quite a bit more expensive.
What can DNA tests reveal?
There is no doubt that DNA tests can reveal the paternity of a child, but there are many more reasons why people elect to go through DNA tests as well. More specifically, DNA tests can tell you what kinds of risks or illnesses you are more at risk of due to your DNA. This can in turn help you and your primary doctor develop a strategy to stay in great health for many years to come. Whether this means changing your diet, improving your fitness, or anything in between.
Conclusion
In the end, getting a DNA test or paternity test can be quite stressful. You want to know that the test you are taking is highly accurate and treated with the utmost care and professionalism. Luckily, the in-home DNA test that you take will likely have all that and more so that you can be sure of the results, whatever they may be.
