Paternity testing kit now readily available over the counter

From Wall Street Journal health blog

March 25, 2008, 1:24 pm

Drugstore Shopping List: Aspirin, Shampoo, Paternity Test

Posted by Jacob Goldstein

Through the miracle of DNA technology, a trip to the drugstore can sort out
those nagging paternity questions that bubble up at the family picnic.
A company called Identigene said today that its paternity test is now
available over the counter at Rite Aid and Meijer drugstores around the
country.

The test, which costs $29.99 at the store plus another $119 for lab fees, is
the similar to tests widely available online. The kit includes Q-tip-like
swabs for the mother, child and alleged father. Rub the swab on the cheek,
send it to Salt Lake City in a postage paid envelope, and a few days later
get your results by mail, phone or Internet.

But don't try and take the answer to the judge. For the answer to be legally
binding, you've got to pay a few hundred bucks extra for a third party (or
in this case, fourth party) to administer the tests and confirm that
everybody is who they say they are.

The lab work on the store test is just as rigorous on this test as it is on
a legally binding one, Identigene COO Douglas Fogg told the Health Blog. The
results are certain to 99.99%, he said. "This test is pretty much black and
white."

Itentigene is owned by Sorenson Genomics. Fogg wouldn't discuss how much
money the privately held company makes on the tests, but he did say that
more than 500,000 legally admissible paternity tests are conducted in this
country every year.

Bonus Test: The test isn't sold in New York, where state rules require a
doctor's prescription or a court order, the company said. But it's not far
to Jersey, where the test is available.

On Mar 26, 9:31*am, "Kenneth S." wrote:
From Wall Street Journal health blog

March 25, 2008, 1:24 pm

Drugstore Shopping List: Aspirin, Shampoo, Paternity Test

Posted by Jacob Goldstein

Through the miracle of DNA technology, a trip to the drugstore can sort out
those nagging paternity questions that bubble up at the family picnic.
A company called Identigene said today that its paternity test is now
available over the counter at Rite Aid and Meijer drugstores around the
country.

The test, which costs $29.99 at the store plus another $119 for lab fees, is
the similar to tests widely available online. The kit includes Q-tip-like
swabs for the mother, child and alleged father. Rub the swab on the cheek,
send it to Salt Lake City in a postage paid envelope, and a few days later
get your results by mail, phone or Internet.

But don't try and take the answer to the judge. For the answer to be legally
binding, you've got to pay a few hundred bucks extra for a third party (or
in this case, fourth party) to administer the tests and confirm that
everybody is who they say they are.

The lab work on the store test is just as rigorous on this test as it is on
a legally binding one, Identigene COO Douglas Fogg told the Health Blog. The
results are certain to 99.99%, he said. "This test is pretty much black and
white."

Itentigene is owned by Sorenson Genomics. Fogg wouldn't discuss how much
money the privately held company makes on the tests, but he did say that
more than 500,000 legally admissible paternity tests are conducted in this
country every year.

Bonus Test: The test isn't sold in New York, where state rules require a
doctor's prescription or a court order, the company said. But it's not far
to Jersey, where the test is available.

How ridiculous that New York would require a doctor's prescription or
court order.
Seems to me it was probably crazy feminist Hillary Clinton that
ensured
that was the case...you see, her and her weasel husband just love to
enslave
men to children that are not theirs...

I think EVERY SINGLE MAN OUT THERE, including MY HUSBAND (I wouldn't
mind,
I have NOTHING to hide), should go and get one asap and test every
single child
living with them, whom they consider theirs...Every single child has
the RIGHT
to know who their parents are as well, not just the ones whose mommies
want
to be honest...

"Kenneth S." wrote in message
news:1fsGj.3978$N_5.3568@trnddc05...
From Wall Street Journal health blog

March 25, 2008, 1:24 pm

Drugstore Shopping List: Aspirin, Shampoo, Paternity Test

Posted by Jacob Goldstein

Through the miracle of DNA technology, a trip to the drugstore can sort
out those nagging paternity questions that bubble up at the family picnic.
A company called Identigene said today that its paternity test is now
available over the counter at Rite Aid and Meijer drugstores around the
country.

The test, which costs $29.99 at the store plus another $119 for lab fees,
is the similar to tests widely available online. The kit includes
Q-tip-like swabs for the mother, child and alleged father. Rub the swab on
the cheek, send it to Salt Lake City in a postage paid envelope, and a few
days later get your results by mail, phone or Internet.

But don't try and take the answer to the judge. For the answer to be
legally binding, you've got to pay a few hundred bucks extra for a third
party (or in this case, fourth party) to administer the tests and confirm
that everybody is who they say they are.

The lab work on the store test is just as rigorous on this test as it is
on a legally binding one, Identigene COO Douglas Fogg told the Health
Blog. The results are certain to 99.99%, he said. "This test is pretty
much black and white."

Itentigene is owned by Sorenson Genomics. Fogg wouldn't discuss how much
money the privately held company makes on the tests, but he did say that
more than 500,000 legally admissible paternity tests are conducted in this
country every year.

Bonus Test: The test isn't sold in New York, where state rules require a
doctor's prescription or a court order, the company said. But it's not far
to Jersey, where the test is available.

These paternity testing kits play off the ignorance of people who don't
understand paternity laws.

Why would a woman buy one of these kits when state laws say a married
woman's husband is presumed to be the bio-dad or the government will help
unmarried women get a paternity test for free?

Now on the other hand, a single man could threaten to buy one of these kits
and ask his girlfriend to submit to the testing. If she refuses, for no
out-of-pocket expense, he can determine she has been screwing around on him
when she has reservations about doing the test.

Hi, Jacob--I thought that I would take the time to respond to your well
written message. Mainstream labs try to veer away from the retail corner for
several reasons.

1. While it can be lucrative, there are a ton of start up costs involved in
sleeping with a lab such a rite aid. Sorenson Genomics has truly made a deal
with the devil on this one. They just recently purchased Identitgene, which
was one of the premier labs in this country, and have decorated it with
retail clown face and, for that, I am truly sad.

2. You have to purchase the kit at rite aid which is about 25 dollars or so
and then you have to purchase the test for 140 dollars so your combined out
of pocket expense is close to 165 dollars.

3. It is simpler and cheaper (notice the press ignores this point) to just go
to a website like fairfaxidlab.com, for example, and download a 145 dollar
QuickHIT home test system. Benefits ae you don't go to a drug store to buy
the test--you download it in the privacy of your home. Its a free download
and you do NOT pay for the test until you send in your samples. Clean and
easy.

I did this test and it was easy and fast. They do have a chain of custody
though because they are AABB certified and are supoosed to follow the AABB's
quality control compliances.

There are a LOT of tests out there to use without embarrassing yourself at
the corner drug store--and a lot cheaper.

Sorry about this--I just had to say something.

Kenneth S. wrote:
From Wall Street Journal health blog

March 25, 2008, 1:24 pm

Drugstore Shopping List: Aspirin, Shampoo, Paternity Test

Posted by Jacob Goldstein

Through the miracle of DNA technology, a trip to the drugstore can sort out
those nagging paternity questions that bubble up at the family picnic.
A company called Identigene said today that its paternity test is now
available over the counter at Rite Aid and Meijer drugstores around the
country.

The test, which costs $29.99 at the store plus another $119 for lab fees, is
the similar to tests widely available online. The kit includes Q-tip-like
swabs for the mother, child and alleged father. Rub the swab on the cheek,
send it to Salt Lake City in a postage paid envelope, and a few days later
get your results by mail, phone or Internet.

But don't try and take the answer to the judge. For the answer to be legally
binding, you've got to pay a few hundred bucks extra for a third party (or
in this case, fourth party) to administer the tests and confirm that
everybody is who they say they are.

The lab work on the store test is just as rigorous on this test as it is on
a legally binding one, Identigene COO Douglas Fogg told the Health Blog. The
results are certain to 99.99%, he said. "This test is pretty much black and
white."

Itentigene is owned by Sorenson Genomics. Fogg wouldn't discuss how much
money the privately held company makes on the tests, but he did say that
more than 500,000 legally admissible paternity tests are conducted in this
country every year.

Bonus Test: The test isn't sold in New York, where state rules require a
doctor's prescription or a court order, the company said. But it's not far
to Jersey, where the test is available.

You need to blame the New York and New York City Departments of Health. They
have in place an across the board compliance to FDA regulations. I spoke
directly to the FDA and they said that they do not certify these types of
tests. Interestingly, Doctors can now make off like bandits because they can
now sell scripts for patenity testing.

whatamess wrote:
From Wall Street Journal health blog

[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
doctor's prescription or a court order, the company said. But it's not far
to Jersey, where the test is available.

How ridiculous that New York would require a doctor's prescription or
court order.
Seems to me it was probably crazy feminist Hillary Clinton that
ensured
that was the case...you see, her and her weasel husband just love to
enslave
men to children that are not theirs...

I think EVERY SINGLE MAN OUT THERE, including MY HUSBAND (I wouldn't
mind,
I have NOTHING to hide), should go and get one asap and test every
single child
living with them, whom they consider theirs...Every single child has
the RIGHT
to know who their parents are as well, not just the ones whose mommies
want
to be honest...

Hi Bob--the laws vary from state to state. For example, in the state of
Virginia if you have signed the birth certificate, paternity is not
necessarily presumed BUT if you signed the birth certificate and a patenity
aknowlegement form then you are presumed to be the legal father of the child.
IF anyone is interested go to GOOGLE an type in :

ocse profiles

a map will come up and click on the state you are interested in to see how
the laws apply to each state. This site is courtesy of Health and Human
services so it is very up to date.

Bob Whiteside wrote:
From Wall Street Journal health blog

[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
doctor's prescription or a court order, the company said. But it's not far
to Jersey, where the test is available.

These paternity testing kits play off the ignorance of people who don't
understand paternity laws.

Why would a woman buy one of these kits when state laws say a married
woman's husband is presumed to be the bio-dad or the government will help
unmarried women get a paternity test for free?

Now on the other hand, a single man could threaten to buy one of these kits
and ask his girlfriend to submit to the testing. If she refuses, for no
out-of-pocket expense, he can determine she has been screwing around on him
when she has reservations about doing the test.

Hi Bob--the laws vary from state to state. For example, in the state of
Virginia if you have signed the birth certificate, paternity is not
necessarily presumed BUT if you signed the birth certificate and a patenity
aknowlegement form then you are presumed to be the legal father of the child.
IF anyone is interested go to GOOGLE an type in :

ocse profiles

a map will come up and click on the state you are interested in to see how
the laws apply to each state. This site is courtesy of Health and Human
services so it is very up to date.

By the way, you will find that a LOT of labs violate that law. There are a
few that will not but most labs are sloppy on the obeying of the rules
whether it be AABB or NY State.

Bob Whiteside wrote:
From Wall Street Journal health blog

[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
doctor's prescription or a court order, the company said. But it's not far
to Jersey, where the test is available.

These paternity testing kits play off the ignorance of people who don't
understand paternity laws.

Why would a woman buy one of these kits when state laws say a married
woman's husband is presumed to be the bio-dad or the government will help
unmarried women get a paternity test for free?

Now on the other hand, a single man could threaten to buy one of these kits
and ask his girlfriend to submit to the testing. If she refuses, for no
out-of-pocket expense, he can determine she has been screwing around on him
when she has reservations about doing the test.

"jayd" u42482@uwe wrote in message news:81cb1c06eb425@uwe...
Hi Bob--the laws vary from state to state. For example, in the state of
Virginia if you have signed the birth certificate, paternity is not
necessarily presumed BUT if you signed the birth certificate and a
patenity
aknowlegement form then you are presumed to be the legal father of the
child.

That is true, but there are additional caveats. Signing a voluntary
acknowledgement of paternity can be challenged for up to 60 days under
federal law (one year in my state), and after the state deadline if fraud,
duress, or material mistake of fact can be shown. The reason there are
options to rescind a paternity acknowledgment is because the states
recognize a woman can lie about who is the father due to relationship
issues, or just guess wrong if if she had multiple sex partners.

For the purpose of this discussion it is important to recognize signing a
voluntary paternity declaration is normally done without any DNA testing.
The new kits can give a putative father the facts before they sign any
documents acknowledging paternity.

My point was a putative father can suggest use of the paternity kit without
actually buying one and make a judgment whether to buy the kit based on how
the child's mother reacts to the idea of using the kit.

On Mar 27, 4:59*pm, "Bob Whiteside" wrote:
"jayd" u42482@uwe wrote in messagenews:81cb1c06eb425@uwe...
Hi Bob--the laws vary from state to state. For example, in the state of
Virginia if you have signed the birth certificate, paternity is not
necessarily presumed BUT if you signed the birth certificate and a
patenity
aknowlegement form then you are presumed to be the legal father of the
child.

That is true, but there are additional caveats. *Signing a voluntary
acknowledgement of paternity can be challenged for up to 60 days under
federal law (one year in my state), and after the state deadline if fraud,
duress, or material mistake of fact can be shown. *The reason there are
options to rescind a paternity acknowledgment is because the states
recognize a woman can lie about who is the father due to relationship
issues, or just guess wrong if if she had multiple sex partners.

For the purpose of this discussion it is important to recognize signing a
voluntary paternity declaration is normally done without any DNA testing.
The new kits can give a putative father the facts before they sign any
documents acknowledging paternity.

My point was a putative father can suggest use of the paternity kit without
actually buying one and make a judgment whether to buy the kit based on how
the child's mother reacts to the idea of using the kit.

I love the laws on how long you have to challenge paternity...
Geez, if you have two white guys sleeping with the same woman,
both guys with blue eyes and blond hair, guess what? The odds
are that until that child is much older, you don't start to realize
he looks nothing like you...60 days is just outrageous.

I think every single man should get a test before signing anything.
If the wife or girlfriend make a fuss, they have something to hide.

"whatamess" wrote in message
...
On Mar 27, 4:59 pm, "Bob Whiteside" wrote:
"jayd" u42482@uwe wrote in messagenews:81cb1c06eb425@uwe...
Hi Bob--the laws vary from state to state. For example, in the state of
Virginia if you have signed the birth certificate, paternity is not
necessarily presumed BUT if you signed the birth certificate and a
patenity
aknowlegement form then you are presumed to be the legal father of the
child.

That is true, but there are additional caveats. Signing a voluntary
acknowledgement of paternity can be challenged for up to 60 days under
federal law (one year in my state), and after the state deadline if fraud,
duress, or material mistake of fact can be shown. The reason there are
options to rescind a paternity acknowledgment is because the states
recognize a woman can lie about who is the father due to relationship
issues, or just guess wrong if if she had multiple sex partners.

For the purpose of this discussion it is important to recognize signing a
voluntary paternity declaration is normally done without any DNA testing.
The new kits can give a putative father the facts before they sign any
documents acknowledging paternity.

My point was a putative father can suggest use of the paternity kit
without
actually buying one and make a judgment whether to buy the kit based on
how
the child's mother reacts to the idea of using the kit.

I love the laws on how long you have to challenge paternity...
Geez, if you have two white guys sleeping with the same woman,
both guys with blue eyes and blond hair, guess what? The odds
are that until that child is much older, you don't start to realize
he looks nothing like you...60 days is just outrageous.

---------------
It's even more outrageous when you factor in the fact the statute of
limitations on establishing paternity is no less than 18 years under federal
law and many states have no limit at all.
---------------

I think every single man should get a test before signing anything.
If the wife or girlfriend make a fuss, they have something to hide.

-------------
That was my point! Don't buy that line of "If you loved me and our child
you wouldn't treat us like this." Get a freakin' test.