Autism – What Genes Cause it?

Posted on | March 1, 2012 | No Comments

Several twin studies have proved that autism is caused by certain genes. In instances in which one twin has autism, the other twin displayed autistic traits as well. Autism is a complex condition and is can take a range of forms,(for example Asperger autism) some very different from the other- it is in fact more correctly referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Scientists have linked dozens of genes to autism and know that further research will uncover possibly hundreds more. The complexity of the condition makes this latter supposition feasible. A link has been found between autism and other brain disorder and moreover, the genes causing autism are even located close to other genes that are responsible for these brain disorders. These other disorders include manic depression (bipolar disorder) and obsessive compulsive disorder.

What are the symptoms of autism?

The symptoms of this condition are many and different people suffering from the condition can display very different symptoms:

• Language skills – often do not have developed language skills for their age
• Play- they have problems creating imaginary situations; often very repetitive and isolated
• Restricted and obsessive behaviour: they may only talk to one person, attach themselves excessively to people, objects, places or activities.

The list goes on. Genetic mutations have been found in children with autism. In fact, studies entire clusters of mutations present in children with autism.

There is of course the issue of whether the genes are inherited. Generally, the consensus is that spontaneous mutations take place causing autism and thus, that the condition is not necessarily inherited from parents. There may be an environmental component that triggers autism or triggers the genes to become active.

Further studies will indeed reveal more about the genes that are responsible for autism.

Justin Bieber Paternity Testing lawsuit dropped

Posted on | November 18, 2011 | No Comments

Justin Bieber, one of the biggest names in the current pop scene, has recently been involved in a paternity testing lawsuit. But the 20 year girl who had originally filed the paternity lawsuit has withdrawn it and things might be settled out of court- if that is, Justin Bieber agrees to it. It seems many are hopeful that paternity test results will clear the claims.

Justin’s legal team and Mariah Yeater’s lawyer seem to be sorting something out so as not to have to go through the courts; it seems the paternity DNA test will still be carried out. Back in July, Yeater gave birth to the baby boy she claimed Beiber had fathered. She named the child Tristan. Mariah and Bieber had a brief affair following a concert. Bieber who is is currently dating Selena Gomez has consistently denied the allegations made by Yeater claiming he never even met her.

Justin Bieber lawsuit: How is a paternity test carried out?

DNA sampling for a paternity test is nowadays carried out using oral swabs. Oral swabs are rubbed inside the mouth to collect cheek cells. The quantity of cheek cells in such a sample is of course smaller than a blood draw, but today’s advanced DNA analysis techniques ( a technique known as polymerase chain reaction) allow scientists to work with very small quantities of DNA.

Once the DNA profile has been extracted for the alleged father, child and mother paternity can be confirmed or excluded. If the DNA profiles of the alleged father and the child show a perfect match with all genetic markers corresponding, then without shadow of a doubt, the man in question is the biological father of the child. The paternity testing case involving Justin Bieber has still not reached a resolution. A paternity test will undoubtedly solve any claims.

Paternity Testing during Pregnancy

Posted on | November 16, 2011 | No Comments

Thinking about paternity testing during pregnancy? Are you informed about the methods of prenatal paternity testing? Do you know about the risky methods and the risk-free methods? Are you even sure you are pregnant? The information here provided should be a good starting point for you.

What are the symptoms of Pregnancy?

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Pregnancy symptoms are many and not every expectant mother will exhibit the same symptoms. In fact, symptoms are bound to differ immensely from one pregnant mother to the next. Also, a woman might have different symptoms in one of her pregnancies than in another subsequent pregnancy.

Am I pregnant?

The following are common symptoms:

• Tiredness and fatigue: these symptoms occur pretty early in the pregnancy- in fact in the earliest weeks of pregnancy. You cannot definitively attribute tiredness or fatigues to pregnancy however, as these symptoms are exhibited in many other conditions such as depression.
• Morning Sickness: this is probably the most clichéd symptom of being pregnant. It is true many expectant mother’s do feel mild to intense nausea when they are pregnant and typically, this will occur in the morning. Considering changes in the body during pregnancy, this is no surprise. Again, do not be quick at concluding that you are pregnant- nausea is a pretty common symptom linked to stress or upset stomachs. You can confirm pregnancy by doing an over the counter pregnancy test.

Pregnancy DNA test: New, non Invasive

A totally risk free non invasive pregnancy DNA test has been developed by some top laboratories. All that is needed for scientists to analyze the baby’s DNA is a blood sample. A doctor can take the samples using a syringe – in this maternal blood sample there will be a mix of the mother’s DNA and the fetal DNA; the fetal DNA will be in much smaller quantity than the mother’s DNA and can be either cell-free or cell enclosed. Using a highly advanced method to analyze the parts of the fetal DNA known as single nucleotide polymorphism, scientists can map the child’s genetic profile.

For the prenatal paternity testing, a DNA sample from the alleged father is required. Although to some the following statement may be obvious, it is worth making clear: you cannot determine paternity with just a profile from the mother or the child.

In line with non invasive prenatal paternity tests, are also non invasive gender prediction tests. The sex of the unborn baby can today be known not with a blood sample but with a urine sample. Again, it is important to realise that this is a DNA test and not a home test.

Paternity Testing during Pregnancy using Invasive sampling Methods

Invasive fetal sampling methods carry risks- they can endanger the unborn baby’s as well as the mother’s life. The chances or the probability of the risks materializing are very small but very real. In some countries, perception of carrying out amniocentesis and CVS is very negative simply because of the risks inherent in these tests. Prenatal paternity testing can be done via amniocentesis or Chorionic villus sampling- the former involves insertion of a needle via the abdomen into the womb and the latter involves insertion of a catheter into the womb via the cervix (entrance to the womb). If you require paternity testing during pregnancy, the most apt choice would be the non invasive type.

Types of sample for Gender prediction testing

Posted on | October 12, 2011 | 1 Comment

Gender prediction testing can be carried out with blood or with urine. It is important that whichever of the two you opt for, you ensure that they are actually DNA tests and

not any other DIY test that provides you with instant results at home. A competent laboratory should be undertaking the analysis of your sample to determine the sex of your child by means of a DNA test.

Urine DNA baby gender testing to determine whether you will have a baby boy or baby girl is pretty accurate, although a more recent and revolutionary method than blood. You are in fact likely to stumble across more companies offering the test with blood than with urine. The gender test using a sample of maternal urine offers a very high success rate of around 99%.

With blood, a gender prediction test is still over 95% accurate in determining the sex of the child and the test can be carried out in the easy and comfort of your own home. However, one of the major disadvantages of some baby gender tests is that they require blood and are thus, invasive tests. A home kit will be sent out to the address you specify which will enable you to complete the sampling for the baby gender test.

Using Maternal Urine and Maternal Blood Samples

To be able to carry out either baby gender test you will need to know how far along in the pregnancy you have arrived. With either test, you should not go ahead unless you are at least 9 weeks pregnant. Knowing the time of conception is important for baby sex prediction and can easily be done if you have regular periods. The baby gender test with blood can be done as early as the tenth week from the first day of the last menstrual period. If you have irregular periods, knowing when you released an egg is harder. You could try and count backwards from the day you tested pregnant- this can give a fair idea of the time you conceived.

Both tests using blood or urine rely on identifying the male DNA in the maternal blood or maternal urine. The fetal DNA finds its way into the mother’s blood through the placenta (a point of exchange for nutrients and oxygen between the fetus and the mother). The blood will get filtered in the kidneys and the fetal DNA will pass out in the maternal urine. This means that sample, urine or blood, will provide fetal DNA in it.

Urine samples are also used in some other types of baby gender tests. These tests require the pregnant mother to urinate in a cup and wait for a change in colour; one colour indicates a boy and another a girl. These tests lack scientific backing; they claim to be able to detect male or female hormones in the mother’s urine.  Gender prediction testing should be scientific. Make sure you pick the right company to do it.

Popular Myths in Family Genealogy Tree Research

Posted on | August 25, 2011 | No Comments

Family genealogy tree research is difficult enough without all these myths flying around trying to make it even more difficult for you. If you have decided to carry out research on finding ancestors you will likely come across some websites, or even individuals you speak to, that offer you false information that might discourage you.

Don’t believe everything you read or are told about researching your family genealogy tree because while there are some roadblocks in your way, none of them are insurmountable unless you have been extremely unlucky. In saying that, tracing your ancestors, which is given the Sunday name of genealogy, can be difficult and require a great deal of family tree research, but none of the problems you come across are insurmountable and you should eventually be able to get pretty far back – how far back being determined:

a) by how far back online records go, and

b) by how far you are prepared to travel to access written records.

While family genealogy tree research into your family ancestry is not impossible, it may also not be a simple task. That bursts two popular myths in genealogy research: that it is too difficult and also that it is easy. In fact, it is neither difficult nor easy: you can carry out genealogy research if you have the will to do so and are not easily dissuaded by setbacks. There may be many setbacks, but they are not unbreakable roadblocks.

Major problems when researching your genealogy

There are some situations where you may come across apparently insurmountable problems, but only if you are very unfortunate. The two major problems might be:

1. All records were destroyed, such as during the dissolution of the monasteries and destruction of parish churches along with their records. Some local authorities were more active than others in this respect, particularly during the disparate times of Henry VIII and the English Civil War.

2. During certain periods in history, such as Mau Zedong’s China. Family genealogy records were deliberately destroyed to break with the past, and many civilizations had no record at all. Examples include certain indigenous civilizations of South America, Africa and Asia.

In such cases it might be possible only to track back as far as the last record, and no further. Some civilizations passed genealogy information down the generations by word of mouth, but this type of information is generally unreliable.

Another myth is tracking surnames: if you check out as many families as possible with your surname, then you are bound to come across your own ancestors. This is not true, unless you find people with your name in a specific geographical location from which you know your own ancestors originated. Otherwise that is just shooting in the dark.

Legendary Tales

You may find some legendary tales about your family, such as great uncle so-and-so gained this award and great-great-grandfather Livingston spent most of his life exploring in Africa. However, when you take the time to investigate you find it is different people, and that you have just spent a few weeks chasing shadows generated by mythical legendary claims for your family. This is not unusual, and everybody with ancestors with names such as Livingston, Nelson and Faraday like to believe they are related – so much so that become related! This is just another of the popular myths in family genealogy tree research.

Tracing ancestry : Belief in records

One of the major popular myths in genealogy research is that the records you come across will be accurate. In fact, there are numbers of reasons for such records to be false, or at least lack proper accuracy. For example, during the Middle Ages to the Victorian era, registration of births or baptisms was carried out verbally. You would tell your parish priest or other official who the father was, and that would be written down.

When people died, particularly during the Black Death and Great Plague, no proof of death was necessary. Records were very inaccurate, and many baptisms and deaths were never recorded: births were not recorded by law in many countries until fairly recently, and it even in 1837 when the registration of a birth, marriage or death started, there was no penalty for failing to do so.

Genealogy research: Online is Best

Finally, while many people can get so far with their genealogy research online, and believe it to be the best way to trace their ancestors, it is often necessary to carry out research local to where your forebears used to live. Most early records are not computerized, but what can be said with a safe degree of accuracy is that online genealogy research tends to be more accurate than word-of-mouth information because it is based upon records made at the time – even though these might be scarce and not always accurate.

If you are trying to trace the history or family tree of your extended family, then an online search will help you. Another technique available is ancestry DNA testing that often provides useful information as to the accuracy or otherwise of your family genealogy tree research. This form of DNA testing can frequently confirm or deny the information you have discovered: assuming samples are available for testing.

Try to ignore the myths, and by using a combination of physical searching, online records and DNA testing where appropriate, you should have at least some degree of success in your family genealogy tree research.

What is Infidelity Testing?

Posted on | August 3, 2011 | No Comments

Had Othello been able to do an infidelity test he might have avoided strangling Desdemona and save her from dying guiltless death. But infidelity DNA testing was not around in Shakespeare’s times. Today, DNA tests can tell you a lot about any suspicious stains you find on an item of clothing or on bed linen. These tests can even tell you the sex of the donor of the sample and perhaps even who the sample belongs to.

Is it a male or a female?

So you have found a stain on a jacket or on the car seat. You might want to first determine whether this stain belongs to a male or female. The amelogenin sex gene is one of the main sex determining genes in our body. It is found on both the X and the Y chromosome but displays a smaller peak on the Y chromosome when analyzed using the standard laboratory procedure for DNA analysis known as PCR- polymerase chain reaction.

Anyway, scientists can easily determine whether the DNA in the stain is male or female or a mix of both. Furthermore, they might even surprise you- we have had cases where the 2 DNA profiles belonged to people of the same sex (suggesting, for example, that the husband had been cheating with another man)

Do you suspect who your other half is cheating with?

If you have a suspicion of who your other half might be cheating with, you can send a comparison sample for testing. Let’s explain a bit further:

• The laboratory has already found a male and female DNA profile in the stain you sent in
• You have a suspicion of who the female profile might belong to
• By sending in a DNA sample of that person, laboratories can compare the two female profiles and determine whether they belong to the same female or not
• You can also sensibly ensure that you are not the donor of that DNA profile by sending a sample of your own DNA to exclude you as the donor.

It is important to realize that whilst companies offer DNA infidelity tests, you are free to draw your conclusions from the results of the test. The results will not state that there has been infidelity as this is beyond the scope of science.

DNA Testing in Toronto

Posted on | June 2, 2011 | No Comments

DNA testing in Toronto (Ontario) means being able to find a company based locally in the city that can organize your DNA test in a way that is quick and efficient. When carrying out a DNA test you should have an idea of what you exactly want to determine and whether everyone is available for the test.

The test you need will then be recommended to you by the DNA testing consultant in Toronto. It is sometimes not very straightforward. There may be better and more accurate alternative to establishing what you want to establish other than what you have in mind. This is especially true for relationship testing, such as sibling DNA testing or grandparents testing (DNA test between grandparents and grandchild/children).

Most DNA testing (other than legal DNA testing) is done via a home DNA testing kit which you receive at home and with which you can collect your DNA samples using oral swabs. Should you not be interested in DNA testing in Toronto and live elsewhere in Canada, there should be no issues as the kit can be sent via post to any address. Once you have collected DNA samples you can send these back to the lab. Everything is extremely well explained in the kit provided; in fact, you will have instructions on how to collect samples, a consent form and even an envelope with on it the lab address so that you can just send off your sample without any relay.

The cost of the DNA test will change obviously, depending on how many people are taking part in the test. Also, some tests are more expensive than others; an X chromosome test is more expensive than a paternity test because the testing methodology used is different and costs are higher for running the latter test. For more information on DNA testing in Toronto, an online search will yield ample.

Relationship DNA Tests: Are they Your real Biological Relatives?

Posted on | April 20, 2011 | No Comments

You may have often wondered whether you are truly related to a person. Relationship DNA testing encapsulates a number of very specific tests which are designed to determine whether specific relationships exist between alleged relatives and can help you solve any doubts you may have. Any relative can take part in a relationship test including aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and siblings. This test can really help you clarify whether biological ties exist between alleged relatives.

The Following Are the 3 Main types of relationship tests if you wish to find answers to any doubts you may have

A sibling DNA Test: A sibling DNA test can clarify a number of issues such as whether you are full, half or no siblings at all. This test can thus tell you whether you share one parent or both parents or whether you have no parent in common. Often siblings seek such a test because they need to know whether or not they share the same father but their father is not available for the DNA test. Whenever the father is available for testing, your safest bet is a paternity DNA test as this is far more accurate and reliable than a sibling DNA test.

An X chromosome test is typically used between females. Two females may want to know whether they share the same biological father; in some cases they may have to include the sample of the mother just to ensure the result is clear-cut.  A Y chromosome test can be done between males who wish to determine whether they share the same father.

Grandparents DNA Test: A grandparent DNA test can involve just one grandparent or both. It is often carried out in lieu of a paternity test and if both grandparents are available then it will also be possible to re-construct the missing father’s DNA profile. The foundations for the test rely on the fact that grandparents will pass on their genes to their son who in turn will pass those genes to his child. The test can accurately tell whether the grandparent/s tested is the biological grandparent/s of their grandchild.

Avuncular DNA testing: this DNA relationship test involves testing the father’s full siblings in cases where the father is unavailable for testing. An aunt or uncle will share common genes with their niece or nephew though not anywhere as close as the number of genes shared between parent and child.

The testing methodologies used depend on who is actually available or willing to be tested and importantly, the gender of those involved. Relationship DNA testing is, as mentioned, an umbrella term for a number of test.

LeBron’s Court Ordered Paternity test

Posted on | April 3, 2011 | No Comments

Another celebrity in the world of sports has made the headlines amidst paternity issues which may well requires the famous basketball player LeBron James to take a paternity DNA test.  The case in question is however different in that it is the alleged biological father, Bryce Stovell who seeks the court ordered paternity test claiming that LeBron and his mother covered up the fact that he was  the biological father of the famed basketball player.

Stovell, a 55 year old man, has claimed to have had a relationship with Gloria James, LeBron’s mother. The case is not all that fresh, in fact Stovell has been trying to prove paternity since 2007 but forcing someone into a paternity test is never easy and proving or disproving paternity can entail lengthy legal battles. Stovell has filed his suit with the federal court; the reason, he claims, is that LeBron and his mother have actually attempted to conceal the fact that Stovell was LeBron’s biological father.

Stovell is also suing for defamation. Gloria has excluded point blank the possibility that Stovell might be LeBron’s father. She has publicly named the man she says is her son’s dad- Anthony McClelland. The attorney, Fredrick Nance, has discarded her claim as a paternity DNA test carried out in 2002 showed the McClelland was not the biological father of the boy. Stovell tells how Gloria James told him she was expecting a baby shortly after their sexual affair; she claimed that he was the father and that she would name the child “LeBron”.

Stovell, a legal practitioner by profession will be presenting his own case. Given the case he has compiled he does not see why his request that a court ordered paternity DNA test be carried out and he is sure that LeBron is his biological child. The problem is that a paternity test was already carried out and 2007 and this excluded Stovell as the biological father. Stovell claims the DNA sample did not belong to LeBron, hence, the result is erroneous.

DNA paternity testing is the only definitive means that will establish without doubt whether a putative father is the alleged father of a child or not. This type of test is typically done by taking saliva samples that are collected by means of a simple mouth swab rubbed on the inside of the mouth. A biological father and his child will share half of their genetic material and thus, when DNA is analyzed in a paternity test it will show a clear inclusion in case where the tested father is truly the biological father of the child.

LeBron James is just one of the many celebrities who have been involved in some paternity dispute. Recently, Tiger Woods was also requested to take a paternity test.

DNA testing in the Philippines

Posted on | March 17, 2011 | No Comments

DNA testing is used to solve any of a whole, vast range of queries we have about family relationships. easyDNA Philippines now makes all the tests on its portfolio available in the Philippines.

Undoubtedly, the test most people will be interested in is the DNA paternity test. This test is done to accurately establish whether an individual is the biological father of a child. The test is very, very conclusive all the more if one includes the mother’s sample. If the individual tested is the biological of the child, expect a result with a probability of paternity higher than 99.99%. If the individual tested is not the biological father, then expect a probability of paternity of 0%.

In most cases you can just do the peace of mind paternity test (at home paternity test); whilst this test has no legal value whatsoever in the Philippines, it is the first test to do if you wish to resolve your doubts and have a conclusive answer to “am I the father of the child?”.

If you need a paternity test to present in court than you will need a legal test; this test provides you with a result that can be presented in court in order to solve legal disputes related to custody, child support and changing names on the birth certificates.

Being able to carry out DNA testing in the Philippines with such a reputable company is a great advantage to anyone doing such a test.

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Recent Posts

• Autism – What Genes Cause it?
• Justin Bieber Paternity Testing lawsuit dropped
• Paternity Testing during Pregnancy
• Types of sample for Gender prediction testing
• Popular Myths in Family Genealogy Tree Research
• What is Infidelity Testing?
• DNA Testing in Toronto
• Relationship DNA Tests: Are they Your real Biological Relatives?
• LeBron’s Court Ordered Paternity test
• DNA testing in the Philippines

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