| For a multitude of different, very personal reasons, | | | | indicates that the alleged mother is the biological |
| adopted persons all around the globe are actively | | | | mother of the child. An exclusion result, conversely, |
| searching for their birth families. Searches for birth | | | | indicates that the alleged mother is not the biological |
| families are often frustrating and tiresome | | | | mother of the child. |
| undertakings, but for many adoptees, they result in | | | | Paternity tests are useful for adoptees who believe |
| the successful identification of long-unknown birth | | | | they have found their birth fathers. In a paternity |
| parents. | | | | test, DNA samples are collected from the alleged |
| Once an adoptee has found and established contact | | | | father and the child, and the resulting DNA profiles |
| with a birth parent, it's a good idea for him or her to | | | | are compared. Like the maternity test, the paternity |
| confirm the biological relationship through DNA testing. | | | | test has two possible results: inclusion and exclusion. |
| A family relationship DNA test is a simple procedure | | | | An inclusion result indicates that the alleged father is |
| that can accurately--and fairly quickly--determine | | | | the biological father of the child, and an exclusion |
| whether or not individuals are biologically related. For | | | | result indicates that the alleged father is not the |
| adoptees who have spent months or even years | | | | biological father of the child. |
| trying to track down their birth families, such tests | | | | If a search leads an adopted person to a biological |
| offer the final, authoritative word on whether their | | | | relative other than a birth parent, there are other |
| searches were officially successes. | | | | DNA tests that can be used to verify the biological |
| Half of a person's genetic makeup comes from his or | | | | relationship. For instance, if an adoptee's birth mother |
| her biological mother, and the other half comes from | | | | has died but the adoptee located the birth mother's |
| his or her biological father. Because of this fact, the | | | | parents, then a grandparentage test may be used to |
| DNA profiles of a birth parent and a birth child can be | | | | confirm the biological relationship between the |
| compared to determine if the two individuals are | | | | maternal grandparents and the adopted person. |
| indeed related as parent and child. Two types of | | | | Other potentially helpful family relationship DNA tests |
| family relationship DNA tests are particularly useful for | | | | include genetic reconstructions and siblingship tests. |
| adoptees who believe they have found their birth | | | | After completing the often painstaking process of |
| parents: maternity tests and paternity tests. | | | | searching for their birth parents, numerous adoptees |
| Maternity tests are useful for adoptees who believe | | | | are opting to confirm their biological relationships to |
| they have found their birth mothers. In a maternity | | | | their newly found relatives through DNA testing. With |
| test, DNA samples are collected from the alleged | | | | a few simple rubs of a cheek swab, they can find |
| mother and the child, and the resulting DNA profiles | | | | the peace of mind that comes with knowing whether |
| are compared. This type of test has two possible | | | | they have finally found the people they've been |
| results: inclusion and exclusion. An inclusion result | | | | looking for. |