September 2011 Archives

As an animal lover, but fearful of pit bulls, german shepherds and certain two legged mammals, it is interesting to note what other countries are actually implementing because of the concern over pitbull behavior.  I was fortunate enough to have a very lovable English Springer Spaniel who played with every other dog in the local dog park - irrespective of the dog's DNA.  Pitbulls, huskies, collies - all played together.  My own dog's DNA tested 75% pure breed, but he was 100% the best dog ever.  Everytime, I went to the dog park - whether in the early heat of a NJ summer or a late December snowstorn - there did not seem to be a hierarchy of who to play with based on "appearance".  Every dog came to the gate and greeted him in the same manner, then they romped for a few minutes and then one or the other became bored and moved on to the next playmate.  Having met other Spaniels - I did notice a certain lack of an attention span - but that only made him more loveable. 

In the land down under, officials are now actually calling for DNA testing to confirm/deny that a dog is a pitbull or not?   Really, what does it matter if he is pitbull or terrier - if he bites the hand that feeds him - he will bite anything.  If the dog is a menace in the neighborhood to children and adults alike, what does it matter what's in the dog's DNA. Concern is over, visual identification of the dogs because some dog breeds - as in Staffordshire Terrier - although pitbull like in appearance are probably closer to Spaniel in temperment.  How awful for a Staffordshire Terrier owner to have to worry about some "nosey" neighbor reporting his pitbull as a possible threat to the neighborhood.  I've only met one Staffordshire Terrier - who is as beautiful and affectionate as any pup - but he is a powerful looking animal - broad chested - muscular and strong - a true Prince. 

If you are concerned that your new best friend has any pitbull tendencies - then a quick, non invasive DNA test can determine if your dog has any "pitbull" DNA.  Whether you have rescued the dog from your local animal shelter, or adopted from an animal rescue company, DNA testing can confirm the presence of over 50 breeds of dogs and offer advice on what health concerns and what behavioral issues are known to a specific breed.  My spaniel had the biggest ears and the biggest ear infections - only briefly touched upon by the well intentioned animal rescue group - but his DNA test confirmed that he was in fact a Spaniel and was in fact prone to these issues.  I probably could have figured that out on my own but the DNA test, confirmed it for me.

Run out into the middle of the road, scream really nasty words, scratch as hard as you can, kick in the groin, face, stomach, bite and bite hard (keep the evidence), throw rocks and throw your books - that is what I'd would tell my kids!  Oh, what a horrible thing to tell your children but picture this - someone (anyone) comes up to my children while they are waiting on a cold, rainy morning for the school bus.  The bus is late only because boots, umbrellas, rain ponchos (maybe called hoodies today) all take a little extra time to allow children to settle onto the bus once boarded.  But mommy or daddy have a webinar at 9am and in internet world - 9am is 9am - even in the rain.  The kids have been getting on the same bus now for a few weeks - we have all settled into a school schedule.  If you read the papers in the last few years - abductors are not just creepy old men - but young female teachers, young male coaching assistants, the angry mother next door or the older teenager down the block.  Better to teach a protective behavior than try and figure out who harbors some weirdo behavior in mind.  Check your zipcode for the number of "sex offenders" in your 10 mile area. 

So someone comes up to the bus stop and offers the wet and book laden kids a ride to school - using any excuse - the bus is stuck in traffic, the bus was cancelled due to weather, I'm going to your school now - I'm the school parking attendant?  - in fact, one little girl thinks she knows the person behind the wheel and so she starts on her way into the car - but my children start to throw their books, yell at the person behind the wheel, kick the car, use their umbrella as a weapon - anything that will bring attention to the person behind the wheel and alert a neighbor or a passing car.  By the way, as a neighbor you should have eyes on the street as well - just because they are not your kids - the world should know that your neighborhood has extra "eyes" watching.  My children will  begin to run or walk in the opposite direction the car is travelling. Hopefully, their actions will scare off the person behind the wheel - because I have taught my children to not behave!

My children behave for me - when I say and what I say and who I say and how I say and why I say - they do not have to listen to any other adult - unless I have given them the "say so" and/or the circumstances warrants another adult to be in charge of the situation (police, fire, teacher, coach or older sibling, grandparent or a relative I trust.) If that is the case, my children will have been told ahead of time or will have enough insight to understand the situation- otherwise they are too young to be left alone.  In the 1960s, a kid could walk the streets of Brooklyn - buy a pack of gum or a "pound of ground round" at the local butcher and not be too worried about neighbors - everyone knew everyone - your parents knew all the neighbors and all your neighbors' business and the "odd" person(s) - was easily recognized. In the summer everyone sat on the front stoop and in the winter - everyone played in each other's homes or again out in the street - how cold could it be if you were playing kick ball anyway?  With Central air, backyard decks and grills - we don't really see each other - in fact I would guarantee that some in our neighborhood would not recognize their neighbor if he/she wasn't standing in their driveway - that's what we've become. 

By now most parents know all about Stranger Danger - all the little suburban towns have hosted a night out where the kids get fingerprinted and get to see the inside of the police car.  The sad truth is that fingerprints and dentition (those toothprints offered by your friendly family dentist) are only used on a forensic basis (when the crime has already taken place) - so we feel we have guarded our children against danger.  A fingerprint, especially of a child will change over a life time, toothprints - will definitely change from year to year and possibly from month to month during the first few years of school and each of these identifying factors are only used in a crime scene - that is the crime is over and done.

Today's parents, can have their child's DNA Safeguarded so that at any time a crime scene is swiped for DNA - if your child (or loved one) goes missing - you have an accurate record of your child's DNA that you can provide to the local authorities - not a genetic profile put together 30 days after the crime from items left behind or from relatives.  DNA Safeguarding is just as easy as toothprints and/or fingerprinting and does not change over a chid's lifetime. 

Now that kids are back to school, there are opportunities for those "creeps" to grab a child walking home from the bus, or school alone.  A child who stayed late for an extra class, a group project or an athletic event - "grabbing" is an opportunistic event - majority of child abductions are based solely on opportunity.  So while we have some "creeps" who get up in the morning and try to figure out a way to capture their prey - there are those among us who may have those tendencies but have not acted on them yet - and then a rare opportunity presents itself.  Remind your children to always walk in groups - don't allow another child to walk alone in front or behind the group.  Be the person in the group to include everyone.  Teach your children a little about inclusion - it is good for their character anyway.

Some of the types of luring that goes on, whether during the summer months when children are more likely outdoors or during the winter months, when children may be walking home from school or a project are requests for assistance, bribery with something cute and cuddly like a puppy or a kitten, something sweet to eat - even money in some cases.  Fake emergencies the child doesn't know about - all of these are tools used by abductors to lure a child into feeling safe about following the actions of this person.  Teach your children "code words" - perhaps related to their favorite or first toy - so that they know this person has to know the code words - even in an emergency. 

DNA Safeguarding parties happen all over the "affluent" neighborhoods, but Safeguarding your Child's DNA should not be considered a luxury  - rather just another step using today's most up to date technology to protect your children. Call the DNA Lady and ask about hosting a DNA Safeguarding Party  More importantly is to have a discussion with your children about stranger abductions and what he or she can do to avoid such a situation.

First, please understand this blog is written by a small business owner who has a somewhat personal relationship with Lupus.  Lupus is a chronic automimune disease that causes inflammation and can afect various parts of the body, especially the kidneys, skin, joints and blood.  The body's immune system normally makes proteins called antibodies to protect against viruses, bacteria and other foreign matter.  In lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues and begins to attack the body's healthy tissues and organs.  Lupus is not infectious, rare or cancerous.   While researchers do not know what causes lupus, they believe there is a genetic predisposition to the disease and that environmental factors play a role in triggering the disease. (Stress, diet, lack of exercise, environmental poisons)

At the offices of The DNA Lady, most of the clients are coming in to determine a biological relationship.  Paternity, so that children can obtain benefits and get to know their whole family, Maternity, to confirm the right to terminate parential rights in the case of a mother who is willing to give her baby to a family unable to have their own children, Silbingship tests Half vs. Whole vs. No Relationship - because young adults have heard rumors for years and now they want to know the truth.  Families going through the Immigration process are often told that their documentation is not sufficient to satisfy USCIS requirements.  DNA Tests are offered as an  option to confirm the biological relationship.  And finally, if an alleged father is not available for testing, we often have grandparents come in and provide their DNA to determine if they are genetically related to a child.  These biological relationship DNA Tests are the most well known, of course.

But, with the improvement in technology and with the aging population, other DNA tests are available to help defray costs of healthcare, improve quality of life and prepare family members for the future.  The DNA Lady offers predictive DNA testing to provide insight into your genetic risk as compared to a similar group of individuals in the population.  The results will indicate your genetic predisposion toward Lupus as well as 25 other genetic diseases and provide reasons why you are considered a genetically low, medium or high risk candidate.  The testing is private, not covered by your insurance (and therefore confidential).  Results are not reported to anyone but the participant who may then chose to share the information with a medical doctor if there are any concerns. 

In fact, having a bit of knowledge about your predisposition to certain diseaeses may influence you, or a loved one, into a more positive and active role in preventing the on set of the disease by improvoing your quality of life.  It is also IMPORTANT to understand that a predisposition toward a genetic disease does not necessarily mean you will ever show signs or symptons of the disease. 

If you are diagnosed with any of the genetic diseases that can be predicted in your DNA markers, be sure to research all and any medications offered.  While it is possible to alleviate pain now and further damage to tissue, muscle or bones - side effects of some of these commercially sold drugs are serious and sometimes more deadly than the disease itself.  Always, always understand the side effects of any drug offered to you and if your doctor or specialist does not take the time to explain then find a doctor who will treat  your questions with the same concerns you hold.  

Simple test for signs and symptons of Lupus:

1.)  Achy, painful and/or swollen joints for more than three months;

2.)  Fingers/toes become pale, numb or uncomfortable in the cold;

3.)  Sores in your mouth for more than a week;

4.)  Low Blood Count, Anemia, low white cell count or low platelet count;

5.)  redness in your face or color change in the shape of a butterfly across the bridge of your nose and cheeks;

6.)  unexplained fever over 100 degrees for more than a few days

7.)  Sensitivity to the sun where your skin breaks out after bing in the sun (not a sunburn)

8.)  Chest pain with breathing for more than a few days (pleurisy?)

9.)  Protein in  your urine

10.)  Persistent, extreme fatigue and weakness for days or even weeks at a time even after 6 - 8 hours of restful nighttime sleep.

If you answer yes to 3 or more of these questions, your best bet is to contact your primary care physician.  Your primary care physician can run a series of blood tests to determine antibodies present for Lupus, as well as many other genetic conditions.  The DNA Lady's Predictive Genetics tests provide insight for those of us who want to take active steps today to insure quality of life as we age and to use today's most up to date technology.  Perhaps you have had a loved pass away from a genetic condition and you want to know your own predisposition or perhaps you are an adoptee, and do not have access to your medical records.  Today's DNA Tests are not just the "Whose Your Daddy" type.  DNA Tests, performed by accredited laboratories are valuable tools to managing your life today.

DNA TESTING FOR GRANDPARENTS

How fast did August move by us?  September starts to move just as quickly with kids returning to school, vacations over, family reunions behind us (was that fun or what?) school projects, school clubs and yes - my favorite - Halloween.  September is also dedicated to our grandparents.  Don't forget to let a grandparent in your life, know how special they are to you and thank them for all the loving things they do for you.

Grandparents are lovingly involved in the lives of their grandchildren, from taking them to the local events, sharing family recipes and stories to just babysitting when mom and dad just need a break.  Grandparents tend to show up at those school events, too and affectionately point and clap for everything you do.  However, there are many grandparents in today’s society who are part of an emerging social issue – responsibility for fulltime care and upbringing of the grandchildren.  Parenting can be challenging as a lot has changed since you raised your own child.  It is estimated that nearly 8.2% of children in New Jersey are living with their grandparents or other relatives.  Formally proving a biological family relationship is sometimes crucial in the overall care and support of the child.

            In some cases, grandparents are separated from their grandchildren due to divorce or other strained relationships in the family.  Grandparents should be aware that each state carries its own set of rules regarding Grandparents Visitation Rights.  Below are excerpts from the Grandparent Visitation and Custody Laws in New York and New Jersey.

            New Jersey - A court may grant visitation rights if visitation is in the child's best interest. Adoption cuts off the rights of biological grandparents, unless the adoption is granted to a stepparent.

            New York - The custody statute does not provide statutory factors for determining the best interest of the child. A court may grant visitation rights if at least one of the child's parents is deceased or if the court finds that equity demands intervention based on the circumstances of the case. Adoption does not automatically cut off the visitation rights of grandparents.

            Grandparents across the U.S. can use tests offered by The DNA Lady for the following reasons: 

• To confirm their biological relationship to a child when their son is not wed to the mother of the child and Acknowledgement of Paternity papers were not signed at the hospital.
• To confirm their biological relationship to a child in order to remove rumors and doubt about the paternity, which allows the extended family to bond with the baby
• To confirm their biological relationship to a child when a parent is in prison or unfit to care for the grandchild
• To confirm their biological relationship to a child when a parent is deceased and did not sign Acknowledgement and/or Certificate of Paternity when child was born
• To confirm their biological relationship to a child when their son away at school, military posts,  or jobs in foreign countries

The DNA Lady will help you obtain conclusive biologic (DNA) evidence you need when establishing relationships with or raising your grandchildren.  Evidence of the biological relationship also allows the grandchildren to obtain social security benefits, healthcare benefits and survivor benefits that they may not be eligible for because Acknowledgement or Certificates of Paternity were not completed at birth.  Please visit our website for a list of additional “grandparent as parent” and “kinship care” resources in your community.

 The DNA Lady has local collection sites in Passaic, Little Falls, Somerville, Flemington, Perth Amboy, Newark, Metuchen and Trenton, NJ as well as Staten Island and Brooklyn, NY.  Call any of our convenient local numbers for assistance.

732-632-8820 Central New Jersey

862-250-6297 Northern New Jersey

201-308-5566 New Jersey

609-964-1690 Southern New Jersey

718-679-9185 Brooklyn

516-570-3593 Long Island

215-469-2909 Pennsylvania