Genetic Testing Forum

I am genetic counselor and was asked through the NSGC listserve to take a look at this website and give comments.
The bulleted subject headings are helpful, but I bet that many individuals who read them have additional questions. I think that a link called "ask a genetic counselor" would be very well utilized.

Kayon Williams, MS, CGC
kayonw@gmail.com

Does this forum cover horse genetics,and if not, could you please reccommend one that does? Thank you

Kimberly,

We have been focusing on human genetics and genetics in general that can be applied to human genetics. Challenged by your question, I googled "horse genetics" and selected the following as reputable sources of information for you.

http://www.genome.gov/20519480 comes from the group that worked on the human genome and is very genome-DNA oriented.

http://www.horse-genetics.com/ is an interesting site, but has probably not been recently updated

http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/~lvmillon/ comes out of University of California at Davis and looks interesting.

http://www.mustangs4us.com/Horse%20Colors/genes1.htm discusses horse colors

Thanks for your question. These sites should get you started. If you wish to have us set up a forum on horse genetics using the geneforum site, let me know. You can write to me directly at mgodfrey@geneforum.org.

Marie Godfrey, PhD

Can anyone recommend a quality DNA lab for a paternity test?

Eastern Biotech is offering DNA testing & Paternity Testing services in MIddle East. These tests include a great variety of DNA profiling required for accurately identifying relationships between people from their own unique and individual DNA.
DNA Paternity Tests-Peace of Mind
Relationship Test
Sibling Test
Mother & Baby Check
DNA Ancestry & Family Origin

It is not my policy to advertise--or malign--specific companies by name. However, our coverage is international, and some readers may be interested in services available outside the US.

Marie Godfrey, PhD

I was just emailed a link from a coworker that took me to a piece covered by MSNBC questioning the validity and legality of at-home DNA Testing. I read the article and got the strong feeling that this journalist was not well informed... or maybe they choose to write it from this perspective...

Either way, just to clear things up for anyone interested in at-home DNA testing from any company, it is the SAME TEST AS A LEGAL TEST. Legal tests, at least in my experience, are the same tests as a Private test. We test the same systems, use the same reagents, and the same dual processing. We analyze the results in the same way, and check them and recheck them the same way. If you look at the science of both tests, it is the same.

Here is the fundamental difference between the two, and it’s very simple. Legal tests verify the identity of sample donors, and have the results notarized (or if you live in New York legal tests must also be court ordered or a written prescription). Private tests cannot verify samples from donors. In a Legal test, a chain-of-custody is established, basically meaning people check to see if you are who you say you are and your sample is collected by a third party. You are finger-printed, your photo is taken, and you must sign that all information you provided is correct to your knowledge. A private test does not establish a chain-of-custody, no one verifies identity and the results are not notarized. You collect your own sample and information you provide is up to your discretion.

So that's it. Yes you can argue that the Legal test is more reliable because identities are verified however a Private test is not unreliable. It’s just as reliable as the person collecting the samples.
"Just offering peace of mind”

Thanks for your response. This information should help many better understand what they are dealing with in choosing a DNA paternity test. I am just suggesting caution because of the many potential complications that may arise if the test is not accurate.

When I'm giving advice to other people--which is probably all the time--I am downright cynical. My focus in geneforum is to suggest that consumers adopt the same attitude when it comes to their genetic heritage.

There's considerable investment in equipment for genetic testing and who knows which company has chosen to skimp on one step or another. I think that a company chosen by a state for legal testing is more likely to be reputable than one that has not.

Thanks for reading and contributing to this forum.

Marie Godfrey, PhD