What is paternity testing?

Paternity testing can determine whether or not a particular man is the biological father of a particular child. This procedure involves collecting and examining the DNA of a small sample of bodily fluid or tissue from a child and the potential father. Testing is done by means of cheek (buccal) swabs. Buccal swab kits can be requested from our laboratory or go to one of the clicks clinics we work with. There is little to no risk involved in taking a buccal swab.

How much will everything cost me?

The total cost of the test is R945 per person (R1890 to test an alleged father and child). There are no hidden costs. This INCLUDES VAT and the courier costs of sending buccal swabs to your home or office and collecting them from you again once your samples are ready.

When is payment due?

50% of payment is required before sending you the kit. As soon as we receive the samples and start with the analysis we send you an invoice with the amount due. Once your results are ready, they will be made available to you upon receipt of payment.

What is a buccal swab?

A buccal swab (cheek swab) is a cotton-tipped swab used to collect DNA from the inside of the mouth, quick and painless.

FAQs

frequently asked questions related to Paternity Test

HOW DO I ARRANGE FOR BUCCAL SWABS TO BE COURIERED TO ME?

All you need to do is phone (021 8516467/8) or send us an e-mail (info@genediagnostics.co.za) indicating that you want to start the paternity testing process. You need to send proof of payment if not paying via our pay fast portal and include a delivery address where the buccal swabs should be sent to you during working hours, with the name and telephone number of a contact person.

WHERE CAN I GO IF I DO NOT WANT TO DO THE BUCCAL SWAB MYSELF?

You can go to one of the clicks clinics we work with for sample collection. Contact us to assist with an appointment at the clicks clinic of your choice. (can we include the list of clinics we work with somewhere?). You need to take a copy of your ID and the child’s birth certificate if an ID document is not available to be given to the nurse on duty. The required consent forms are available at the clicks clinics. Cost for the service at the clicks clinic is R60 per individual which should be paid directly to the clinic. Proof of payment for the laboratory test should be sent to info@genediagnostics.co.za.

HOW DO I GET THE SWABS BACK TO YOU ONCE I'VE USED THEM?

As soon as you have the samples ready, you let us know and we arrange for a courier to come and collect them from you and bring them back to the lab to start the analysis.

HOW DO I KNOW HOW TO USE THE BUCCAL SWABS?

We send very clear and easy to follow instructions to you with the buccal swabs. It tells you exactly how and when to use them, what to do and what not to do, as well as how to package them once they’ve been used.

WILL THE SWAB FROM A NEWBORN BABY CONTAIN SUFFICIENT DNA?

If the swabs are used correctly and the instructions are followed carefully, then yes.

DOES BLOOD PROVIDE A BETTER SAMPLE THAN BUCCAL SWAB?

The use of buccal swabs is an easier and non-invasive way of obtaining DNA for testing and gives the same results as a blood sample.

FOR HOW LONG DO SAMPLES REMAIN STABLE?

Samples are stable for up to one week provided the swab was dried properly at room temperature and exposure was kept between 20°C and 37°C.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR HAVING A PATERNITY TEST DONE?

The process is simple: Once we have your address, we send you buccal swabs with a courier to your home. We will need a sample collected from the inside of the mouth from the alleged father and the child in question. Once the samples are ready, you let us know and we will arrange for it to be collected from your home for DNA testing to be done.

How does the test actually work?

DNA of the alleged father and child is compared to see if it matches. At DNA-level, the paternity test makes use of 16 marker systems. In general, exclusion by two or more systems is accepted as exclusion of paternity. Inclusion by all systems confirms paternity with great certainty.

How accurate is the test?

The test involves 16 loci and results of the paternity test are calculated to be at least 99.99% accurate.

What documentation do I need for a personal test?

The only paperwork needed for doing a home test is a consent form (included in the sampling package sent to you) that must be signed by the person requesting the test, as well legal guardian of the child (if the child is younger than 16). If the couple is not married, the mother is assumed to be the legal guardian.

How long does it take before I get my test results?

Results are available 7-10 working days from when we receive the samples in the laboratory.

CONSENT AND PERSONS INVOLVED:

Does the mother of the child need to know that the test is being done?

We need consent from the legal guardian of the child if the child is younger than 16. If the alleged father is the legal guardian, the mother does not need to give consent, or if the alleged father and the child shares the same surname, the mother does not need to give consent. If the alleged father and mother are not married or if the mother is the legal guardian, she will need to give consent for legal and ethical reasons. That means that we will need both the mother and alleged father’s signatures on the paternity request form that accompanies the samples.

ARE TESTS PRIVATE?

Affordable: From only R945, GENEdiagnostics has made it affordable for all to do DNA Paternity testing. We can send a test kit via courier to your home or you can visit one of the clicks clinics we partnered with.

Private: GENEdiagnostics has made testing convenient and private. Results are available online or via secure email.

Accurate: Our tests are 99.99% accurate and tested in our experienced and sophisticated laboratory. Independent monitoring are done by external laboratories.

If you can’t afford the full payment, you can use or medical prepaid partner. Please add the reference code to the Oyi option (GENE2019)

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