January 2009 Archives

How to Choose your DNA Collector?

DNA Testing is a dynamic and fast evolving industry. As this industry expands and the sophistication of the clientele increases, there will be a need for DNA Collectors to differentiate themselves through quality benchmarks.

As more people take a proactive role in their lives, and as antiquated paternity laws across the United States are updated, the DNA testing industry will further develop and mature and ultimately require an increased demand for certified neutral third party administrators to provide DNA collections and case management services.

Accrediting agencies are established to ensure high quality standards and accuracy of test results. Except for the State of New York, which has its own formal relationship laboratory evaluation program, the DNA testing industry standard is accreditation by the AABB. There are approximately 40 DNA laboratories accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks ("AABB"). Only those laboratories accredited by the AABB should be considered as private testing sources for legally-admissible DNA tests used as evidence in a court of law.

Other differentiating accreditations your DNA collector should be able to provide are College of American Pathologists (CAP); New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditations Board - International (ASCLD/LAB-International), the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) as distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and the Forensic Quality Services-International (FQS-I/ISO IEC 17025).

The average consumer does not understand the difference between a Legally Admissible DNA test and a DNA test from samples collected through a home collection kit. A legally-admissible test result requires strict chain-of-custody, from the moment a DNA sample is collected.The DNA sample must be collected by a disinterested third party; original photo identification must be presented; personal identification information is obtained, such as social security numbers and dates of birth; and tested parties are required to sign a form consenting to the DNA test. Diligent collectors go one step further by fingerprinting the parties involved in the DNA testing process.

An at home collection kit is sent to parties who wish to have a DNA test performed; however, want to remain anonymous. The samples are collected by the tested parties or parties they designate, and no proof of identification is required. AABB-accredited laboratories will place a disclaimer on test results derived from home collection kits, reflecting proper chain-of-custody procedures were not followed and therefore the results may not be used in a court to obtain child support or other benefits.

The number of genetic systems a laboratory analyzes determines the power of the test and the reliability of results.The number of genetic systems tested by a laboratory is a significant factor when choosing a private laboratory. Most AABB-accredited laboratories test 16 genetic systems, generally providing a probability of paternity of 99.9% or greater.

Non-accredited DNA laboratories have been known to test a lower number of genetic systems.The rule of thumb in the DNA testing industry is to beware of tests results that do not provide a probability of paternity equal to or greater than 99%. In the State of New Jersey, if the Probability of Paternity is 95% or higher, the man tested is presumed to be the biological father.

Look for an AABB-accredited laboratory that can test more than 16 genetic systems.You may need to test additional genes for complex cases, such as situations where the alleged father could be one of two brothers, or a brother and father; or an alleged father is deceased and a family reconstruction may be appropriate.

Some DNA laboratories have higher quality control measures than others. While accreditations are important, other measures of quality should be considered as well.

Here are some questions to ask when choosing a DNA collector:

• How many genetic systems do they test?
• How long has the laboratory been performing DNA identification tests?
• Are their final test results reviewed by a laboratory technician or PhD?
• Are their test results notarized?
• How do they maintain chain-of-custody documentation?

Immigrants to the US will often find they are required to have a DNA test in order to prove their relationship to their sponsor. It will likely be necessary to prove that they are related to the sponsor in the way that they claim.

It is very important to use a laboratory that has the knowledge and skill to handle your test. Clients are typically referred to the AABB list of accredited laboratories. Many of the laboratories on the list do not have adequate genetic loci to complete difficult immigration cases, and many do not have knowledgeable staff members that are experienced in dealing with various U.S. Embassies. 

It is very beneficial to deal with a laboratory with a great deal of Immigration experience. Our laboratory has relationships with US Embassies all over the world and has handled thousands of Immigration cases. Some Embassies prefer to work with The DNA Lady and direct their Immigration clients to The DNA Lady.

It is important for a laboratory that performs relationship testing for Immigration to have a large number of powerful identity markers available. The DNA Lady not only has a large number of genetic markers available but uses one of only two or three laboratories in the country that has RFLP markers available.

When your Immigration test is completed with The DNA Lady there are no additional fees even if extensive testing is required. It is all part of the initial fee.

When you have a test for immigration purposes you must be truthful about the relationship of those involved in the test. If you are not truthful with the laboratory, then you are very likely to obtain an exclusion. That will likely interfere with the ability of the person to immigrate to the US as all results of our tests are submitted directly to either the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Customs and Immigration offices or the National Visa Center.

The relationship that matters for a genetic test is the biological relationship, not the personal relationship. It does not matter if a person was raised as your child or as your sibling. What matters for a genetic test is their biological relationship to you. If your parents raised your cousin as their child, the biological relationship between you and that person is still cousin. You may be brothers as far as you are concerned, but the genetic test will determine that you are not brothers. Please be sure that you are reporting the correct biological relationship to the immigration authorities so that you will not have an unpleasant surprise when you receive the results of your genetic test.

This can be especially hard for mothers to understand. Even if you raised the baby from the day that it was born, if you did not give birth to the baby then your genetic test will not show you as the biological mother. Your relationship to the child is mother, but biologically, you are not the mother.

The DNA Lady has the experience and technology to provide an excellent Immigration testing service. Your genetic testing case will be handled quickly and efficiently by one case manager.  You can call us anytime during the process to establish status of your DNA test.

The paternity test results will show the allele (see DNA Dictionary for explanation of allele) size for the parties who participated in the test.  When mother, alleged father and child are included in the DNA paternity test, the alleles that the child received from the biological father (called the obligate paternal alleles) can be determined by subtracting the mother's contribution to the child's DNA.  If the alleged father does not have the obligate paternal alleles at three or more loci, he is excluded as the biological father of the child.  If only a child and alleged father are tested, and they do not share any common alleles at three or more loci, the alleged father is also excluded.  When the alleged father contains the obligate paternal alleles at the loci tested, then he is not excluded as the biological father of the child. 

There are cases, where test results show a non-match for one or two loci.  This may indicate mutations which will require additional analysis but it may also indicate that a close biological relative of the tested alleged father (such as a brother, father or son) may actually be the biological father of the child.  Additional calculations can be performed to help address this possibility.  However, it is best to have all possible alleged fathers tested to establish the true biological father.  DNA testing facilities can offer you Paternity Testing with additional samples prices so that anyone thought to be the alleged father can be tested.  Talk to your local DNA expert about the circumstances of your case, so that discretion is used during the actual collection.

The final results will indicate the Probability of Paternity expressed as a percentage.  This percentage is called Paternity Index (PI).  The PI is calculated  using a "prior probability of paternity" of 0.5 in the calculation  This prior probability is a neutral value (without bias) that assumes the alleged father is as equally likely to be as he is not to be the child's biological father.  A DNA test results iwth 0% PI means that the alleged father is excluded, or cannot be the biological father.  A PI of 99% and above means that the alleged father is most likely the biological father.   

Whether you are planning to become one of the 6 million American women who become pregnant each year or you are already pregnant, the healthy choices you make before, during and after your pregnancy can have lasting, positive affects on you and your unborn child. 

Today's technology allows for couples to plan more effectively for pregnancies, however, if you find yourself pregnant here are some steps to help ensure a safe delivery and healthy baby:

• See a doctor for a pre-pregnancy exam
• Stop Smoking.  Your doctor can help you find the best method for you to use to quit.
  
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
  
• Minimize caffeine intake.  Caffeine can impair fertility and increase the risk for miscarriage and
• low birth weight.
  
• Exercise regularly - talk to you doctor on the best exercises for you
  
• Get adequate sleep
  
• Reduce Stress
  
• Gain or lose weight, if necessary.  It is best to begin your pregnancy at a healthy weight.
  
• Drink plenty of fluids, like fruit juice, milk or water instead of soda and coffee.  Drink skim milk or eat low fat cheese or yogurt.
  
• Talk with your doctor to make sure you are getting enough folate
• Avoid Alcohol. 

As soon as you suspect you're pregnant, make an appointment to see a doctor, who will give you advice about diet, prenatal vitamins, exercise and other issues that may affect you and your baby, and help prevent or treat pregnancy related complications.

If you are unsure of the father of your unborn child, and you want to have a father involved in the care taking of your unborn child, you can request a Pre-Natal Paternity test.  In many cases, due to the age or genetic predisposition of the mother and alleged father, your doctor may recommend an amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling to determine if there are any other complications.  At the same time either of these tests are performed, you can schedule a Pre-Natal Paternity Test with your local DNA Lady.

A prenatal paternity test is completed by taking an oral swab of the mother, the alleged father and either a sample from the amniocentesis or cultured cells from the chorionic villi.  There is no additional risk to the mother or unborn child to have a prenatal paternity test scheduled.  Knowing the father of your child in advance, allows you to plan in advance for hospital and state paperwork, health benefits, visitation and other details that happen so quickly after the baby is born.  Having one more detail, already taken care of relieves the stress from this eventful time in new parents' lives and provides a strong foundation on which both families can begin to bond with the new child.  
 

(Please see The DNA Lady's Dictionary for a definition of Haplogroups)

Through DNA Analysis of select male populations in the world, scientists have devised a genetic classification system for the over three billion males in the world.  Each male individual in the world can be placed into one of eighteen genetic classifications or Y haplogroups, based on their DNA composition.  Each Y haplogroup is defined by rare DNA mutations on the Y chromosome called SNPs, or single nucleotide polymorphisms.  Any two men sharing a particular SNP in their DNA, inherited it from a common male ancestor who lived many thousands of years ago.

Following is a brief description of the eighteen different Haplogroups identified in current Ancestry and Heritage testing - find out which haplogroup you belong to and and who you share a common ancestry with - are you related to Maria Antoinette, Ghengis Khan, or the Great Irish kings?

Haplogroup A
First appeared 55,000 years ago and is considered the oldest of all Y haplogroups and a direct genetic link to early man.  This haplogroup is found almost exclusively in Africa with a wide distribution, but low to moderate frequency.  Haplogroup A has been found in the San Bushman, Kung, Khwe, Hadza, Malians, Sudanese and Ethiopians of the African continent.

Haplogroup B
Another of the older Y haplogroups, Haplogroup B is found almost exclusively in Africa, although it has been detected rarely in Pakistani people.  It occurs at low frequency throughout most of Africa, with its highest frequency occurring in Pygmy populations.

Haplogoup C
This haplogroup C first appeared approximately 50,000 years ago.  Since the mutations that define this haplogroup have not been observed in African populations, it is believed that this haplogroup arose somewhere in Asia.  Haplogroup C defines a great coastal migration of man, tracing an arc along the Southern Arabian Peninsula through India, Southeast Asia and Australia.  Later descendants of this group migrated to North Eastern Asia and finally reached North America approximately 6,000 to 8,000 years ago.

Haplogroup D
This group first appeared approximately 50,000 years ago and likely accompanied the people of Haplogroup C on their great coastal migration through the Southern Arabian Peninsula, India,  southeast Asia and ultimately Australia.  In modern times, this haplogroup appears along the ancient migration route in the Andaman Islands and Southeast Asia, although not in India.  This haplogroup occurs at a high frequency among Tibetan and the Yao populations.

Haplogroup E
Haplogroup E consists of three main branches.  Two of the three branches, E1 and E2, are found almost exclusively in Africa, while the third, E3 has also been observed in Europe and in Western Asia where it has been found at frequencies of 25% of less.  It is currently believed that the E3a haplogroup migrated south from north Africa with the Bantu agricultural expansion with the last 3,000 years.  As a result of its predominance in West Africa, most African Americans belong to this haplogroup.  The E3b haplogroup, on the other hand, is believed to have evolved in the Middle East and migrated into the Mediterranean during the Pleistocene Neolithic expansion. 

Haplogroup F
Haplogroup F is defined by at least three mutations and is the root of haplogroups G through R.  It is believed that haplogroup F evolved outside of Africa during the early migrations of modern humans approximately 30,000 to 40,00  years ago.

Haplogroup G
Haplogroup G is a rare lineage thought to have originated approximately 10,000 to 20,000 years ago along the eastern edge of the Middle East in India or Pakistan.  This haplogroup is dispersed throughout Central Asia, Europe and the Middle East.  The G2 branch of this lineage is found most often in Europe and the Middle East.

Haplogroup H
Haplogroup H is almost completed restricted to India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.  It is estimated the H Haplogroup occurs at a frequency up to 50% in most Roma (Gypsy) groups.

Haplogroup I
Haplogroup I is believed to have descended from the Gravettian culture which arrived in Europe from the Middle East 20,000 to 25,000 years ago, prior to the last ice age.  On average, haplogroup I accounts for 18% of the total paternal lines in Europe and reaches frequencies of 40 - 50% in the Nordic populations of Scandinavia and in Southern Europe near the Dinaric Alps.  Haplogroup I, often referred to as the Viking haplogroup, is also found in parts of Ireland, Scotland and England, where it is thought to have descended from Viking invaders.

Haplogroup J
This group contains two primary branches, J1 and J2, and is most commonly found in the Middle East, North Africa and Ethiopia.  Genetic statistics indicate that this haplogroup originated in the Middle East and was carried outward to Europe, Central Asia, India and Pakistan by Middle Eastern traders about 7,000 to 9,000 years ago.  It is believed that this group descended from men of the F haplogroup that arrived 45,000 - 50,000 years ago.

Haplogroup K
Haplogroup K first appeared approximately 40,000 years ago in Iran or South Central Asia and spawned the so called Eurasian clan.  The majority of the populations living in the Northern hemisphere are decedents of this haplogroup which is characterized as a super haplogroup, incorporating haplogroups L through R.

Haplogroup L
Haplogroup L is seen in the greatest frequency in Southwest Asia, with some frequencies as high as 25%.

Haplogroup M
Haplogroup M occurs with high frequency in peoples of the Iran Jaya Highlands, Papua New Guinea Highlands and New Britain.  It also occurs among Western Samoa populations, however with less frequency.

Haplogroup N
This group is distributed throughout Northern Eurasia from Europe to the Pacific and is shared by Caucasoids and Mongoloids.  It is closely related to haplogroup O, which is found in Mongoloids.  It is the most common haplogroups found in Uralic speakers (Finns and Hungarians).  This haplogroup most likely originated in Northern China or Mongolia and then spread into Siberia where it became a very common line in Western Siberia.  In one Siberian study, haplogroup N occurred at a frequency of 43%.

Haplogroup O
Haplogroup O is found frequently in East Asia and is the most frequent haplogroup among the Han Chinese.  The O1 haplogroup is found at very high frequencies in the aboriginal Taiwanese.  The O2 haplogroup has two primary lines, Os1 and Os2.  The O2a line is found in the Southeast Asian populations of Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Southern China. The O2b haplogroup occurs at high frequency in Japanese and Korean populations and at low frequency in East Asian populations. 

Haplogroup P
This group is very rare in modern populations.  Although it is believed to be the ancestral line to haplogroups Q and R, it only occurs at low frequency in India, Pakistan and Central Asia.  It is most likely originated in either Central Asia or the Altai region of Siberia.

Haplogroup Q
Haplogroup Q first appeared 15,000 - 20,000 years ago and is believed to have originated in Central Asia and subsequently migrated through Northern Asia into the Americas.  This lineage is found in North and Central Asian populations as well as Native Americans and is the major lineage that links Asia and the Americas.  Haplogroup Q3 is unique among Native American populations and is estimated to have originated 8,000 to 12,000 years ago during the migration into the Americas.

Haplogroup R
This final group includes two main lineages, R1a and R1b.  Haplogroup R1a commonly occurs in Slavic populations of Eastern Europe and in populations of Central and Western Asia, India and Pakistan.  It is believed to have originated in the Kurgan culture on the Eurasian Steppes north of the Black and Caspian Seas.  The R1b haplogroup first appeared approximately 35,000 years ago and is the most frequently occurring lineage in Western European populations.  This haplogroup is a direct descendant of the Cro-Magnon people, characterized by a broad face and tall stature.  It is believed to have migrated through Europe during re-colonization after the ice age, 10,000 - 12,0000 years ago. 

In today's society, DNA technology is so overwhelmingly consumer friendly and present in the media, one would think that DNA would be collected immediately at the notice or mention of a missing person. According to statistics, every 26 seconds another child becomes lost or missing. Did you know that nearly 2,000,000 American children are kidnapped, lost, missing or run away every year? However, in many states it is not law, or common practice for local authorities to collect DNA samples from the home, family membersor personal possessions of a reported missing child or loved one until well into the event.  In fact, it was only less than one year ago that the State of New Jersey enacted Patricia's Law which allows for the collection of a reference DNA sample, 30 days after a reported missing child or loved one, if the missing person is not considered high risk. Many parents and legal guardians, living in the bucolic towns of New Jersey, have the "not in my town" ideology. The routine "fingerprint and photograph day" at the local "stranger danger" seminars are considered to be enough when it comes to protecting children.   Why not take advantage of the newest technology DNA Typing to protect children and track/trace them in the nightmarish event of abduction or loss. Baby boomers live in a sandwich generation, where we are taking care of children as well as our senior adults parents.  DNA Typing of an individual provides comfort knowing that if that person becomes lost or missing, you have a DNA profile available to provide to the local authorities (rather than waiting for them) to assist in their search for your missing child or loved one.

The key points of "Patricia's Law" are as follows:

A law enforcement agency shall accept without delay any report of a missing person and cannot refuse to accept such reports for any reason.

Provides a detailed breakout of the specific information to be gathered and recorded by law enforcement about the missing person.

After 30 days missing, ensures that a DNA reference sample is secured from the family of the missing person and forwarded to the appropriate agency for analysis and ultimately entry into CODIS (mp) , the Combined DNA Index System for Missing Persons, to check for a match. Once the DNA profile is available, the missing persons record in the National Crime Information System (NCIC), will be updated to reflect that DNA is available.

Improves the system of communication between law enforcement and the person making the report, a family member, or any other person in a position to assist law enforcement in locating the missing person, including informing the person filing the missing persons report of the existence of two clearing houses for missing person's information.  If the person reported missing is age 17 or under, the person filing the report shall be provided with contact information for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. If the person reported missing is age 18 or older, the person filing the report shall be provided with contact information for the National Center for Missing Adults.

Law enforcement shall immediately determine if the missing person is deemed "high-risk" and will take immediate action. The NJ State Police Missing Persons Unit resources will be available as needed.

The Attorney General will provide information to local law enforcement concerning best practices and protocols for handling death scene investigations.

Improve procedures for handling human remains and communication with the family.

In the Northeast, we are all familiar with the; events of 911. DNA was used to help identify the victims who were lost in the attack. "DNA was used when other technologies, such as the use of fingerprints, surgical scars and dental records could not be employed. DNA helped bring closure to countless families who suffered the loss of loved ones and might not have otherwise been able to find the closure they so desperately needed." (Source: Sara Kugler, DNA Identifies Trade Center Victims, October 24, 2001 (Associated Press)

Complete latest version of Patricia Law

SENATE, No.2255
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
212th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED OCTOBER 16, 2006
Sponsored by:
Senator LORETTA WEINBERG
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
"Patricia's Law;" model Missing Persons Legislation.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on June
18, 2007, with amendments.
S2255 [2R] WEINBERG

INTRODUCTION

Here is a Step by Step guide on how to have a sponsor's DNA sample collected in the United States and the beneficiary's DNA sample collected in the country of origin in order to complete the United States Customs and Immigration (USCIS), the National Visa Center or the U.S. Embassy's process to establish a biological relationship to conclude immigration to the United States.

Many consular services - visas, travel documents, consular reports of birth abroad - require the applicant to establish a biological relationship to a petition or American citizen parent.  If you are unable to establish this required relationship at the time of your interview, the consular officer may suggest DNA testing.  DNA testing is a useful tool for verifying an alleged biological relationship and is most commonly used to verify a parent/child relationship in conjunction with a citizenship case or an immigrant visa application.  Due to the expense, complexity and logistical delay, so be sure you are using a DNA Collections Expert in the United States who will be available for follow up and questions during the process. 

You must pay all of the costs for testing and related expenses directly to the U.S. laboratory, panel physician and express mailing services.

TESTING PROCESS

Step One:  Select a DNA Collections Expert in the local area.  The laboratory must be accredited by the AABB.  You will be asked to provide legal proof of your identity, ie, current passport, driver's license.  The DNA Collections Expert will photocopy your paperwork as well as photograph you and ask you to sign the photograph.  The DNA Collections Expert will take the required DNA samples from you, pass the samples and supporting documents onto the lab who will hold your sample until your beneficiary is collected and sent to the U.S. lab.

Step Two:  Select a Panel Physician or U.S. Embassy approved lab in your country.  The DNA Collections Expert in the United States may offer you a list of approved labs in your country of origin.  As a matter of convenience, you should chose the laboratory nearest to your relatives in the country of origin - one that they can easily phone and set up an appointment - once you are told to have your relatives make the call.

Step Three:  The DNA Collections Expert in the United States will forward all relevant material and a DNA collection kit to a Panel Physician or U.S. Embassy approved lab in your country of origin with reference to your Applicant Petitioner Number, Government Case Number, EAC Number.  Once you are notified that the country of origin DNA collector has received all the relevant paperwork and DNA kit, you should have your family member schedule an appointment directly with the panel physician.  The panel physicians charge a local collections fee for the sample collection and administrative process.  Majority of DNA samples collected today (and it is recommended due to convenience of shipping) via non-invasive Buccal Swab (scrape of some of the cells lining the inside of the cheek).

Please be sure that your family members bring the following items with them to the appointment with the Panel Physician or U.S. Embassy approved laboratory:

• Your passport and two copies of the passport.  If you are an asylee or refugee family member, or applying for a consular report of birth abroad and you do not have a passport, you should bring another form of a photo identification and two copies.

• Two passport photographs

• The letter provided by the consular office suggesting DNA Testing

• A-paid express mailing envelope with the address of the laboratory, which the panel physician will use to mail your sample to the laboratory.  (Your DNA Collection Expert in the United States, may do this as part of their service to you)

• A person over the age of 18 who can witness that the proper procedures have been followed.  This can be any person including someone you do not know, except it cannot be the panel physician or one of his employees.

Step Four:  Following the sample collection of the beneficiary(s) in your country of origin, the Panel Physician will return the DNA samples and supporting documents to the laboratory in the United States who collected the sponsor's sample. 

Step Five:  The laboratory in the United States must mail results directly to the U.S. Embassy consular section, the U.S. Customs and Immigration Office or the National Visa  Center office.  You can receive a copy of the results from your DNA Collections expert.  Under no circumstances is any other party, including those being test, permitted to carry or transport blood or tissue samples or test results.  The laboratory will include a copy of the photo identification and the supporting documents provided during the sample collection process.  If the U.S. Embassy consular section, the U.S. Customs and Immigration Office or the National Visa Center offices does not receive the test results, photographs and copies of the supporting documents directly from the laboratory, we cannot proceed with your requested service.

Step Six:  Once the proper U.S. authorities receives and processes your test results, you will be contacted via mail.  It can take several weeks to process your results, so please do not contact the U.S. authorities until 30 days after you are notified by your DNA collections expert in the United States that you tests results have been mailed.