Legal or Informational Paternity Testing

exclusive DNaffirm technology--over 100,000 tests---99.999% accuracy

It may not be practical to come to our laboratory and have us take samples for court/legal chain of custody or informational test. All mailed kits now include remote legal chain of custody forms, or you may do the test for just informational purposes.
All tests are of course absolutely private and confidential.
Order our no-cost sample collection kit and remit payment when you send in the samples for analysis.
Only Viaguard has all our laboratory procedures and paternity results verified by two of our in house expert PhD's for your peace of mind
Results are available 5-7 days from receipt of samples.
We will call you immediately with the results once the test is completed and confirmed and then mail out the certified documentation as you instruct us.
Split kits can be sent if the father and child are in different locations. Tests can now also be done using non-standard samples such as gum, cigarette butts, spot of blood, toothbrush, etc., if it is not possible to obtain a buccal swab from one or both of the parties.
Let Viaguard guide you as to the collection of discreet samples even under difficult circumstances.
There may be a modest surcharge depending on the nature of the non-standard sample.
If so, we will call you on receipt of the samples before proceeding with analysis.

DNA in vitro and surrogate testing is now available to fertility clinics and individuals.

Non-invasive and invasive pre-natal paternity testing uses precision DNAffirm technology. Click here for complete details.

Cost of testing

The informative paternity test costs $239. If you wish to collect the samples yourself in the privacy of your home, you will need to order our Home Sample Collection Kit. The kit will be sent to you at no charge. The processing fee of $239 should be sent along with the samples when they are submitted to us for analysis.

Who's involved?

We require the samples from the alleged father and child for conclusive results (typically over 99.99% accurate); the mother is not required to participate in the test.

How long will my results take?

Results are provided in approximately 7 business days.

How accurate is the test?

Results are typically over 99.99% accurate for inclusion and 100% accurate for exclusion of a potential father.

How will I receive my results?

You may choose to receive your results by mail, telephone, e-mail, and/or fax.

DNA Paternity Testing Kit:

Legally Admissible (Court Approved) Paternity Test - $379 CDN

Accu-Metrics provides legal paternity tests in Canada and internationally. If you live locally, samples can be brought directly to our facility in Toronto. Otherwise, kits can be sent to you with the appropriate documentation and procedures needed for a legal paternity test. The sample collection kits are easy to use and self explanatory. If there are any questions, we can be contacted directly for assistance. Only the father and child are required for testing. The mother’s participation is not required for conclusive results.

Remote Legal Test $239.00 plus tax ($279.00)
At Our Laboratory Test $349.00 plus tax ($379.00)

Chain of Custody and Identification Procedures at our Laboratory:

Adults must bring two pieces of government issue identification, one of which must contain a photo. For children, a birth certificate or health care card is sufficient. Photographs of all donors are also take on site as well as fingerprints for indisputable I.D.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE CORRECTION AND CHANGES IN CANADA

About 7% of birth certificate issued will require changes, often in the name of the listed father. Viaguard will handle the entire process. we will take, or have taken, anywhere in Canada, DNA samples, have them sent to us for testing, and prepare the mandatory chain of custody to comply with provincial regulations. a Viaguard certified test is the first critical step.

Viaguard will then prepare the necessary explanatory affidavits that must be executed by all available parties ,to meet provincial requirements. The complex task of preparing a proper application, that will be approved, will be expeditiously handled by Viaguard.

Viaguard DNAffirm Technology and Paternity Determination

Understanding DNA

DNA (desoxynucleic acid) stores the genetic information in the cells of your being. It is made up of four similar compounds A.T.C. and G, that are repeated over and over in pairs.

A gene is a distinct portion of a cell’s DNA and provides the coded instructions that help structure and determine every aspect of your physical and mental being.

Genes are parcelled in bundles called chromosomes. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes one of each are from the mother and one from the father. The 23rd chromosome is the sexual determinate.

Viaguard testing is based on PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and the use of STR (short tandem repeats) to generate multiplex reactions where many STR regions are tested simultaneously. Viaguard DNAffirm technology used in paternity testing produces a 100% result excluding the approximate .0000001% incidence of monozygotic genes (identical twins).

DNA PATERNITY TESTING AND THE CHILD IN A 'FAMILY' UNIT

Viaguard laboratories has dealt with, and continues to deal with, thousands of DNA paternity tests where there is a possibility of psychological trauma to the child., if they are at a certain level of understanding when the test is done. The impact on a child who understands the meaning of a paternity test is complex. Children do not cope well with emotional insecurity, and the consequences may include anxiety, loss of confidence, and a feeling of rejection. These may have long term implications, and so it is important to shield the child from this type of situation.

Viaguard ,working with the parents or guardian, uses several options. Tthe first is the use of discreet samples so the child is not even aware a test is being done. Obtaining a sample of the childs DNA from a toothbrush, used kleenex, chewing gum, a drop of blood on a tissue or fabric etc are viable options that work well. If the child is brought to our facility or the sample collected at home, the oral swabs may be referenced for use in connection with an allergy test, or other options we can provide. Viaguard should be consulted to facilitate the process. In the long run you are serving the childs best interests, as the test results may indicate.

This is validated by the fact that in many cases thw questioning parent turns out to have had no reason for doubt, and was in fact the parent Further , regardless of the results of a paternity test, while the genetic truth is important, bonding,attachment, and stability often prevail.In 3251 cases where children with the potential fathers last name turned out not to be the biological child, , 94% continued in the family relationship.

Consult Viaguard with any concerns.

Identical Twins - How Identical?

There has long been a perception that identical twins have identical genetic profiles. Our research indicates that this is not necessarily the case, and there may be, in some cases, genetic differences. This has been confirmed in studies that show that one twin may have a genetic predisposition to a disease that the other does not. This may be true in about 50% of cases.

Environmental factors can cause an individual to gain or lose intracellular DNA in what is now recognized as a dynamic process. These same factors are evidenced in the fact that identical twins do not often have identical fingerprints.

Paternity Testing and the 24% of Misattributed Paternities

Viaguard now offers no-cost, voluntary counselling services when the supposed father turns out to not be the father.

In the general population there is a world wide average of about 7% putative (supposed) fathers, but the actual statistics range from about 3% in upper income groups to 18% in the lowest income groups.

Paternity tests demonstrating these statistics are generated by tests done in connection with organ transplants, genetic risk assessments, and increasingly suspicion by the putative father for any number of reasons. The group basing testing on suspicious circumstances have generated about 24% as misattributed paternities.

Complete confidentiality of results at Viaguard leaves the decision about the release of information and the no-cost counselling available, to the person(s) requesting the paternity test.

The Y Chromosome and Male Paternity

The Viaguard DNAffirm Paternity Test utilizes advanced technology, but the human sperm gene that is vital to paternity has remained largely unchanged for over 100 million years.

This gene called BOULE is responsible for sperm production and thus perpetuating every species. It is the touchstone of paternity.

Early ectothermic vertebrates had no sex chromosomes and sexual orientation was determined environmentally such as in the case of reptiles where sex is determined by such factors as incubation temperatures and some species evolve as hermofrodic (contain both sexes). The XY chromosome human determinant of sex originated in species about 165 million years ago and has constantly evolved since. Over time the Y chromosome has developed characteristics so that those areas around the sex determinate genes do not readily recombined with the female X chromosome. As a result the Y chromosome is thought to have lost 1393 of its original 1438 original genes and there were until recently fears that the Y chromosome would lose its fertility in another 10 million years.

In humans the Y chromosome is comprised of about 58 million base pairs with the SRY genome triggering testis development. The DNA in the Y chromosome is passed from father to son so that other then SRY, no essential developmental genes are contained on the Y chromosome since it is absent in females.

Recent studies indicate that the Y chromosome appears to be recovering its vitality and is proving adept of maintaining a diversity of genes surrounding its primary function of sperm production.

DNA paternity testing studies have established that environmental pollution from various chemicals leads to a delayed onset of male puberty, later sperm development, and lower sperm count levels.

The causative effect by chemicals is on the production of testosterone in the testis by the sertili cells, levels of the protein SMAD3, and genetic expression.

FERTLITY AND 'AINT SHE SWEET'

SPERM HAVE ONLY ONE AIM -TO FIND THE EGG.THE EGG SUPPORTS SPERM IN THEIR QUEST BY EMITTING ATTRACTANTS THAT INDUCE CHANGES IN THE CALCIUM LEVEL INSIDE SPERM .CALCIUM IONS DETERMINE THE COMPLEX BEATING PATTERN OF THE SPERM TAIL, WHICH ENABLES THE SPERM TO STEER AS IF BY NAVIGATIONAL CALCULUS.

A recently disccovred key element in acheiving fertilization is the sugary sweetness , not of the female of the species, but the micro-thin coating on each of her eggs. The complex sugar known as slex, is a corn syrup like sticky film on the surface of every egg.This sticky film is a primary reason that the head of a sperm binds to an egg in the first molecular beginnings of human life.The sperm then delivers its dna, fertilizing the egg. An inadequate film coating causes some types of infertility, and this new knowledge is a basis for research into improving fertility, and alternatly, an approach to a new form of contraception.

Paternity testing now includes social responsibility.

Viaguard Laboratories paternity test includes no-cost, optional counselling where there is a negative test result. Viaguard has initiated a program of no-cost, optional counselling for the non-genetic father, mother, and adult child. Where test results indicate no paternal genetic link, but bonding has occurred, and a family unit exists. This no-cost counselling has shown dramatic results in what can be a traumatic, emotional socio-economic situation. Initial results indicate that after counselling, 63% of participants indicated they would like to maintain their bonded family relationship.

DNA In vitro/ Surrogate Testing

A spate of lawsuits and controversy on the question of errors and uncertainty concerning in vitro fertilization and surrogacy has received prominent attention in the media.

The concerns vary from questions of the proper sperm and egg being used to the possibility of a surrogate mother being pregnant but not from the implanted embryo.

The in vitro fertilization process usually goes well but mistakes can occur and when eggs and/or sperm are mixed up there can be multiple complications. A Viaguard confirmation by DNA analysis assures that all is, hopefully well, and the services are provided in an entirely confidential manner.

Testing may include the non-invasive prenatal genetic determination of the fetus or DNA test can be done after the baby is born.

Obviously every case is unique and we will be pleased to discuss your specific concerns in confidence.

PRIMARY SOURCES:

• Blood - a few drops on any material
• Toothbrush - even if several months old
• Dental floss, toothpick, chewing gum
• Nail clippings
• Semen
• Teeth or bones
• Used Kleenex or handkerchief is an excellent source of DNA

SECONDARY SOURCES:

• Urine, razors, cigarette butts, licked envelopes
• Hair (if follicles are attached)
• Clothing, if in intimate contact with the person

Male Fertility is Subject to Female Genes

Infertility is a major problem in North America affecting approximately 10 million men, and yet the reasons for infertility are just now being identified.

One thing is certain a large part of the blame may rest with your mother.

The normal genetic screening process that ensures the survival and reproduction of a species by the elimination of mutant genes does not work efficiently with mitochondrial genes, the ones passed from mother to child.

This less efficient mutant gene screening program in mitochondrial DNA allows for a male's inheritance from his mother of defective genes which impede the development of male reproductive organs, resulting in about 5% of males being infertile.

Studies indicate that the mitochondria have inadvertently evolved to be bad for males, but good for females as a bi-product of their maternal transmission. Mitochondrial genes may harbour many mutations which contribute to the problem of male infertility.

With the problem identified, work has begun on solutions.