"DNA is a key element of what families should have on hand for their children's identification. Like fingerprints and dentition, DNA will not help find a missing child but is used to identify someone. DNA has become the "gold standard" for all identification matters.

NCMEC strongly encourages parents and guardians to take a DNA sample of their children as a precautionary measure in case their children become missing. No one should store DNA except parents and guardians."

POLICE SEARCHING FOR MISSING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL:(See Photo this page, bottom left column). She is Taylor Erekat who left home at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday & has not returned. Height 5:5; weight 140, green eyes, brown hair & wearing braces on teeth and large pink ball earring on left ear.
Jul 15, 2009 - Nutley Police this morning issued a red alert for a missing 13-year-old girls, Taylor Erekat, who is pictured in the adjacent photograph. Here is the text of the Nutley Police Alert:
"Nutley Police are searching for a 13-year-old girl, Taylor Erekat of Nutley. She left her home at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 13, and has not returned home.
"She is described as: height 5 foot, five inches; weight 1 40 pounds; green eyes, brown hair. She is wearing braces on her teeth and a large pink ball earring on top of her left ear. "Nutley Police are cpncerned ab out her safety. "Anyone with information is urged to call Nutley POlice at 973-284-4940."  

DNA testing is still a relatively new technology. Individuals, organizations, agencies, and governments are finding new uses for DNA testing all the time. One of the newest uses for DNA testing revolves around Immigration - specifically family-based immigration. This article discusses the primary reasons why immigration DNA testing is needed.

U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents are permitted to petition immediate family members for entrance into the United States. There is an unlimited number of visas granted each year for family-based petitioners. There are many requirements for acquiring a family-based visa. The petitioner must fill out a form I-130 , submit an affidavit of support proving that they can support the beneficiary, and also submit proof that they are biologically related to the beneficiary.  Immigration DNA testing provides the gold standard of biological identification and cuts through any further red tape. 

The petitioner submits the I-130 along with primary evidence such as a birth certificate to show a biological relationship with the beneficiary. There are a number of red flags that can come up during this process. First, the father or mother is not listed on the birth certificate. Second the birth certificate is issued more than a few months after the birth of the child. Third, no birth certificate is available or in some cases, the parents were not married at the time of the child's birth.  In any of these situations the U.S. Embassy or the National Visa Service Center is likely to issue a Request For Evidence(RFE) . The RFE requests further proof or a relationship by means of immigration DNA testing.

Immigration DNA is requested as a means of fraud prevention by the U.S. Immigration Department. INS began a voluntary DNA testing program for African refugees in 2007. They found that out of all the refugees who claimed biological relationships, only 20% could prove it with DNA testing. The rest either refused testing, or the results came back negative. This has raised some eyebrows within the Immigration Department however, in this world of extended families, immigration may need to accept that although the biological relationship does not exist, this sponsor wants to raise a child as his/her own and if the child has no other relatives in the country of origin, then why not allow him/her into the United States. 

Families filing I-130's can expect more precautionary Immigration DNA Testing in the coming years. DNA testing is the most definitive way of proving biological relationships. The cost is not as significant as one might think and it many cases can be accomplished for less than $1000 depending on country of origin and number of family members to be tested.  DNA testings eliminates any doubt of fraudulent paperwork.

For Men

So you think your girlfriend is pregnant or you received a call from a girl that you met briefly a few months ago or your ex-wife says she pregnant and it is yours, she thinks.  Here are some things to think about before you take any action:

Positive Steps to Take Today

1) Listen to the young woman and understand that she had the courage to call you with this information and needs to hear your support, regardless of your initial thoughts. The situation involves more than just you.

2) Stay Calm. She may be carrying the baby, but you are both responsible for the care and support of the child now.  Regardless of your relationship with the mother, now and in the future, every baby needs to have both parents in his/her life. 

3) Talk about it - not only with each other, but talk with parents, counselors, doctors, spiritual advisors, siblings and others close to the situation. Hiding the news from people who can genuinely help you only increases your stress.  Think of what your life would be like if you didn't have both of your parents or what your life would have been if you had both parents present.  Providing a child with confirmation of both biological parents helps to build a foundation for self esteem.  

4) Gather all the facts. Today, your local DNA collector can offer Pre-Natal Paternity Tests.  An OB/GYN will need to explain the risks associated with Amniocentesis or CVS sampling, but from these two Pre-Natal Genetic testing, we can provide Paternity results in as fast as 5 business days.  The pregnancy has to be at least 9 weeks along.  Get all the information and seek wise counsel so you can make the best decision for both of you and for the unborn child.  If you are able to wait, a regular Paternity Test can be done as quickly as the day of birth. 

5) Express yourself honestly - depending on the situation, it is very normal to have feelings of fear, anger, betrayal, and mistrust.

Negative Actions that will Affect Your Life in Future

1) Don't bail. The more you run from this, the harder it becomes to think and act clearly.  The State can mandate that you participant in a DNA test but wouldn't it be better if you took the action first and kept your DNA out of the State system.  If the pregnant woman says you are the father, and you have any doubts, a simple, non invasive DNA test confirms Paternity or not.  If you ask her to have a PreNatal Paternity test, be sure you are both aware of the risks to both mother and baby.  If the mother plans on having the baby regardless of whether you will support her in this decision, you can have a regular Paternity Test performed any time after the baby is born.   To be fair to the child, have the DNA test done as quickly as possible after birth, thus eliminating unnecessary stress and allowing you and your family members to begin bonding with the baby.    

2) Don't pressure her. Applying pressure will only push her away, possibly into a regretful situation. You will do well to work together as a team - it is a practice for when you are both parenting.  It is time to "man up", you took the action and now you need to take responsibility for your actions.  Family members are a tried and true source of support, but failing that, the State provides many services for new moms and dads, including parenting skill classes, employment training, food stamps, housing assistance.  Everyone is behind you in creating a good life for your new baby.

3) Don't forget. You have a very active role in this situation. Listen to input from people who have experience and have your best interest at heart.  Give your thoughts and fears about the situation a voice.  Talk to other men with similar experience. 

We have all heard the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child",
and when the village is small and one parent is missing the task
becomes even more challenging. Fortunately, being proactive and
understanding your rights as a parent will help alleviate any issues
that might arise as you take on the role of single parent. Every child
has the right to a parent-child relationship with both parents, and
all three deserve an opportunity to develop, enjoy and grow in the
relationship.

Establishing Paternity
1. Every child has the right to know both parents and have the
father's name appear on the birth certificate. Voluntarily
establishing paternity is not expensive and does not have to involve
an attorney or attorney fees. Both parents may contact the State
Department/Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Central
Paternity Registry, or the Department of Community Health and request
an Affidavit of Paternity. There may be a small fee for filing this
document but it will ensure legal paternity is established.  If the father in

question has any doubt that the child is biologically related, a simple, non-

invasive DNA test can be performed privately or by the State.   The benefits of a private DNA test are speed of results, ease in appointment setting and overall privacy in a very sensitive matter. 

Paternity Testing
2. Paternity testing is a series of genetic tests used to indicate the
likelihood that a man is, or is not the biological father of a child.
The most common method used today is DNA testing which are 99.9
percent accurate in determining that a man is not the father. The
child can be tested at any age, and the DNA test is obtained by
rubbing a cotton tipped swab on the inside of the check or DNA can be
extracted from blood or other tissues.  Pre-Natal Paternity tests are

also available today.  Participants should understand the risk of

Amniocentesis or CVS to the mother and baby, before undergoing

such test for the purposes of establishing paternity only. 

Laboratories performing paternity test should be accredited by the

American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).

Financial Security
3. The law requires both parents support their children. This is true
even if the pregnancy is unplanned. Children supported by one parent
often do not have enough money for their needs. A child support order
cannot be established if paternity is not proven.   In the State of New

Jersey, child support payments are not refunded if a man has been named

as father and later establishes that he is not the father.  Another reason, why a man with any doubt about the paternity of the child, should have a DNA test to confirm Paternity.

Survivor & other Benefits
4. Medical and dental insurance may be available through the non-
custodial parent's employer, union, or military service. In addition, many

employers offer scholarship programs for children of employees.  Medical
assistance programs may be available through the local and/or state
family/child assistance agencies. Later on in the child's life, when applying

for financial aid for college, the role of both biological parents must be proven

in order for the child to receive financial aid.  How harmful will it be for a child

to have to focus on locating a biological parent at a time when the focus should be on college preparation. If something should happen to either
parent, the child could qualify for Social Security, pensions,
inheritance rights, veterans' benefits and life insurance. Paternity
must be established to receive these benefits.

Keep Track of Child Support Information
5. It is imperative that both parents, (the custodial and non-
custodial) keep track of parent information, parenting time,
(visitations), receipt of child support payments, court ordered or
not, names of child support workers, attorney contacts, names of
judges/referees, docket/court numbers etc. concerning the child
support case. Remember to keep this information in a secure location
and let someone you trust know where this information can be found in
the event of an emergency.

Dr. Patricia Zaid, QB/ Dr. Martha Balsells QB

TECNICAS BIOLOGICAS, S.A.

Laboratory Director

Edif Geminis 10, Torre Sur, of 332

Guatemala, Ciudad 01010

phone:  mobile (502) 5201 5914     office: (502) 2338 2837    fax:  (502) 2385 5194

email:  p_zaid@yahoo.com

Las pruebas que no se realicen en el país, las referimos directamente a laboratorios certificados de los Estados Unidos de América, enviando cualquier tipo de análisis y pruebas especiales como:

"On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation" according the U.S. Census Bureau website www.census.gov. If our ancestors had only maintained better family records along the way, we wouldn't have the burgeoning business of DNA testing.  Luckily your ancestors left clues in your DNA that can determine your deep ancestral origins.  Your local DNA collections expert can provide access to a database of DNA collected around the world.  Who would think that Genealogical and DNA testing would become such an important past time in the United States and the world?  Genealogical tests are dedicated to helping families find lost relatives, build family trees, establish roots and discover your true past.  DNA tests allow you to determine what region of the world your family is descended from including true Native American ancestry. 

In July 1776, the nation's population was estimated to be 2.5 million mostly from European backgrounds but without true genetic testing, we're only guessing.  Approximately, 14 years later the first official census was taken by U.S. Marshals on horseback (the first mobile collectors - although they didn't collect DNA then) and the population grew to 3.9 million people which by then were of Native American, European, African and Asian descent.  However, it was not until the Census taken in 1870 (a full 100 years later) that all inhabitants were counted as whole persons.  There has been a census taken every 10 years since 1790.  The estimate headcount for the 2010 Census is 306,800,505 inhabitants in the United States, DC, PR and the Islands and whose descent is from all regions of the world.  The estimated world population is 6,768,138,476 (looks like and IP address)!  The U.S. Census information collected from individuals is not made public for 72 years after the census is taken.  For businesses, the information becomes public after 30 years.    

The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States - but you don't have to be an American to be counted.  If you live or sleep most of the year in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas you must be counted.  This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens.  Prior to 1999, the data extracted from the Census was used for congressional apportionment.  Because it was recognized in the 1990 Census that there was a net under-count (non-response) and a statistical adjustment was created, the Supreme Court ruled before the 2000 Census was taken that the population data could not be used for congressional apportionment. 

The difference in 2010's census vs. previous years is that all addresses will receive a short form questionnaire, whereas in the past everyone received a short form and one in six households received a long form with socioeconomic questions.  The socioeconomic information is now gathered by a separate survey conducted (ACS) every 3 years on a rolling basis from approximately 250,000 addresses per month.  The Census Bureau submits population totals to the office of the President of the United States. 

Here are some facts taken from recent (last 100 years) Census:

FACTOIDS FROM PREVIOUS CENSUS:

Most Common Surnames Occurring in 2000 Census

Smith 

Johnson 

Williams 

Brown 

Jones 

Miller 

Davis 

Garcia 

Rodriguez 

Wilson 

** Names with similar spellings are combined to create one common surname, as in Smith, Smithie, Smyth, Smythy etc.  Many of these top occurring surnames have genealogical projects in progress available to join.  If your DNA profile is genetically close to someone with a similar surname, perhaps you are related.  Ask your local DNA collections expert, if they have a surname project in your name that you can join to trace the migration of your family to the United States and beyond.   Ancestry testing has become a family reunion favorite activity over the last 10 years.  The common genetic profiles found among family members - both close and distant - keeps families talking and communicating all year until the next family reunion. 

Most Common Spanish Surnames Occurring in the 1990 Census

Garcia

Martinez

Rodriguez

Lopez

Hernandez

Gonzalez

Perez

Sanchez

Rivera

Ramirez

Torres

Gonzales

Spanish surnames can originate in Europe, South, Latin or Central America.  You can find out the family's migration by having your ancestral Y-DNA or Mt DNA analyzed and mapped.  For fun, you can then log onto a website to find others with similar genetic profiles and surnames and are also searching for their relatives and ancestry.  Y-DNA is the paternal side of the family and is passed only from father to son; thus we can perform very conclusive Paternity Tests especially in a father/son test.  MtDNA is passed from a mother to all of her offspring.  To gain a complete picture of your ancestral origins, have a male's DNA collected from each generation.  For example, have one male tested to obtain a history of his father's family via Y-DNA testing, which will exclude any influence from the female side of the family.  Then have the same male tested to obtain a history of his MtDNA which will exclude any influences from his father's side of the family.  The end result will be a genetic profile and map of the individuals in a generation (and therefore his sisters and brothers) both paternal and maternal migration over the past 50,000 to 150,000 years.  Make sure you explain to your local DNA collections expert the exact relativity of everyone being tested and if you are interested in logging onto an internet site to find other people in the world with similar genetic profiles.   

Leading Country of Birth of a Foreign Born Inhabitant in the 1930 Census

Italy

** Indicates that the individual was born in Italy, but not necessarily of Italian descent.  To find out if you are truly from Italy, why not have your DNA tested to determine what genetic markers you possess that are in common with other "native born Italians" in our database.   

Leading Country of birth of a Foreign Born Inhabitant in the 2000 Census

Mexico, followed by

China

Philippines

India

El Salvador and Vietnam

Korea

Cuba

Canada

Dominican Republic

Arabic Population in the 2000 Census

Is your genetic profile more closely related to Abdullah I bin al-Hussein, King of Jordan or Muhammad Anwar Al Sadat, 3^rd President of Egypt? 

30% of the inhabitants of the United States in the 2000 Census reported they were of Arab descent.  Arab descent includes individuals from Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq, Arab or Arabic and "other" Arabic countries. 

42% of the population reported having more than one Arab ancestry.  Ethnic questions are based on one's place of origin, descent, roots, heritage and it is usually only asked on Census questionnaires to establish that the respondent had a connection to or self-identified with a particular ethnic group.  However, as we have found many times, our connection to a particular ethnic group, does not always include our entire ancestral roots. 

There is a number of DNA Ancestry testing options that can outline your ancestral origins. A local DNA collections expert will be able to sort through the testing options most suited for your interests.    A recent activity at many family reunions, is to have a local DNA collections expert available for anyone in the family who would like to trace their ancestry and prove the genetic relationship.

To find out more about the current U.S. population, visit the www.census.gov site which provides a host of information in various formats (pdf and xls).  All the facts and figures presented here are taken the from the www.census.gov website.  The information is meant to inform the reader that we all have our roots in the cultures and traditions of our childhood whether that was in the United States or somewhere else.  Each of us has the right to be proud of our culture and we should be able to share our traditions and indeed find the similarities in our traditions with other cultures.  However, for today July 4^th, let everyone know you are an American, with a proud history of independence, opportunity, privacy and the responsibility to protect those rights.