Paternity DNA testing: Do I use a Saliva Sample?

12 Aug 2017

Paternity DNA testing is in high demand. The test requires sending in DNA samples from the alleged father and child; sometimes the mother’s samples may also be included to strengthen the results. The most common sample is the Saliva sample and this sample has many advantages. People seeking this test often ask whether the test can be done using blood. Here are the reasons highlighting the pros and cons of blood DNA samples versus saliva.

Some Information about Blood Typing

The ABO blood group test is reliable in excluding fathers and not in including them; even in excluding a potential father as the biological dad, blood typing is still not 100% reliable. Blood typing uses the red blood cell antigens inherited from the parents. A child will not have a blood group which is not present in at least one of his or her parents. Blood typing is thus, rarely used to establish paternity because other people could have the same blood groups.

Blood DNA Samples for Paternity DNA Testing

Any DNA test has to be done using nucleated cells (a type of cell which makes up the vast majority of our cells). Blood contains white blood cells, leukocytes which are perfect for a DNA test. Since there are ample white blood cells in an average blood sample, blood provides a high success rate for concluding a paternity test. However, it has many disadvantages. You will need to set up an appointment with a doctor or nurse and you will also incur the costs. Moreover, venepuncture is an invasive procedure and many people are very squeamish about blood draws and at worst may find it highly nerve-wrecking. Many children are petrified of injections and can with their tears and tantrums stall sampling from proceeding.

Blood DNA samples are also considered a hazard to post and there can be many problems with the relevant authorities when such samples are detected in the post.

Never send in any samples without having fully consulted the DNA testing company of your choice.

A Saliva Sample in Paternity Tests

Saliva does not contain DNA in itself. Saliva consists of 98% water and the rest is enzymes and electrolytes. Enzymes do not contain DNA and are simply proteins with specific structures and functions.

When you seek your paternity test, the most up-to-date sample is a saliva DNA sample using mouth swabs. When you use a mouth swab and rub it on the inside of the mouth you are of course collecting a lot of saliva. However, when you rub the swabs on the inner cheeks and under the tongue you collect cells as the friction caused by the rubbing naturally causes thousands of cells to get detached and gathered onto the swab. DNA collected in this way is absolutely painless for those taking part in the test and the success rate is extremely high at a par with a blood sample taken with a medical blood draw.

Blood is now out-dated and there is no reason for using this sample in such tests. One can easily opt for a saliva sample which will definitely conclude you paternity DNA test. Collecting a sample has never been so simple.