Our paternity and DNA testing guide has been provided by Cellmark, the UK’s most experienced and recommended DNA paternity testing service. Established in 1987 Cellmark is accredited by the UK Ministry of Justice and, with over 20 years of specialist DNA paternity testing is one of the largest and most trusted paternity testing providers in Europe. For further information, or to discuss any issues surrounding DNA Paternity Testing please contact Cellmark's friendly and professional customer services team on 08000 362 522 or go online at www.cellmark.co.uk.
DNA paternity testing is a scientific process that can positively identify relationships between people from their DNA. Most commonly it is used to establish if a man is the true biological father of a child. DNA paternity testing is also often referred to simply as a DNA test, a paternity test or DNA testing.
Y-chromosome DNA testing
DNA is organised into 46 chromosomes, 23 inherited from their mother and 23 inherited from their father. One chromosome, called the Y-chromosome, is only present in men and is transmitted from a father to his son unchanged. Y-chromosome testing involves the analysis of 17 genetic markers (called STRs) on the Y chromosome to produce a YSTR profile.
Results from a Y-STR investigation will report either that:
OR
Common applications of the Y-chromosome test:
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Genealogy: The Y-chromosome test can be used to provide evidence linking individuals to a common male line as they share the same Y-STR profile, or it can provide proof that they are not related. This type of test is often used in surname projects which involve large groups of individuals with a common surname who are interested in researching their ancestors.
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Male relationship testing: In cases where the alleged father is unavailable for testing or deceased, a male can be tested against other potential male relatives such as his uncles (his father's brother's), his grandfather or his grandfather's brothers who share the same alleged male line.
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Sibling testing: Y-chromosome testing can be used as an alternative (or additional) test, where both children are male, to determine if they could share the same father.
Note: Y STR testing can in some instances conclusively confirm that two people do not share a common male relative. Alternatively it can provide very useful information to support a common male inheritance - but the statistical significance of the results in such cases will not approach the levels achieved in standard paternity testing. Indeed, Y STR testing should not be regarded as an alternative to standard paternity testing, since all male blood relatives in a family will have the same YSTR profile.
For further information on the work of the Human Genetics Commission and the Human Tissue Act visit the HGC’s website www.hgc.gov.uk.
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