DNA Helps Man Reunite With Nine Siblings

A typical reunification story usually involves an individual finding a parent or a couple of siblings. But this story is exponentially bigger and more fun!

Duane Weaver grew up in Mankato, Minnesota with a younger brother and older half-brother. Weaver wasn’t aware that he had been adopted.

“Growing up I really didn’t have a clue,” he said.

The world as Weaver knew it changed about 15 years ago when he received a call from an adoption agency informing him that he might have another biological sibling who had been adopted and if he would like contact information.

Weaver agreed and met his first sister, whom his mother had as a teenager and put up for adoption. The adoption agency also said that he had other siblings that had been adopted, but for years, Weaver didn’t have any leads on his other siblings.

Then last year, Genna Batycki reached out to Weaver because she had sent her DNA to the 23andMe and learned she and Weaver shared some relatives. Weaver sent in his own DNA and learned he and Batycki’s father, Chuck Roseberry, were half brothers.

The 23andMe report also revealed Weaver had another half-sibling, however, he has not been able to contact her and he is not sure if she is still living.

Finally, Weaver was able to determine his biological father, Earl Kleist, had six other children. So far, Weaver has met or talked to two of those new siblings. Between his mother and father, in total, Weaver discovered nine new siblings in total!

With the pandemic, Weaver is cautious to not pressure families into reunification if they’re not interested in welcoming them into their lives at this time.

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles).

Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

New Laws in Maryland and Montana Protect Consumer DNA

Whether it’s exploring your heritage, learning your country of origin, or finding your parents, DNA testing has many benefits. However, it’s crucial when doing a DNA test to pick a company that takes the utmost care to protect your privacy.

Unfortunately, direct-to-consumer DNA companies like 23andMe, Ancestry, GEDmatch, and FamilyTreeDNA all come with a high risk of a security breach. Not only do these companies sell your genetic information to drug and pharmaceutical companies, but their databases can be hacked, packages can be intercepted in the mail, and your genetic information can be used in scams.

Additionally, these companies allow police to use their databases for forensic purposes. However, Maryland and Montana are taking a stand on the authorization of police to access genetic databases.

Starting October 1, Maryland will require law enforcement to get a judge’s sign-off before using genetic databases. It will also limit its use to serious crimes like murder, kidnapping, and human trafficking, and investigators can only use databases that explicitly warn users that their information might be used to investigate crimes.

Similarly, Montana law enforcement would need a warrant before accessing a genetic database unless the users waived their rights to privacy.

These are important steps towards protecting our privacy. However, there’s another way around the system. DNA Paternity Testing values your privacy, so you can rest assured that your genetic information is safe with us. We never sell genetic information to other companies and are HIPAA-compliant.

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles).

Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

Do Genes Affect Lifespan?

It’s a conclusion that’s hard to argue with, and one that’s taken without much pushback: individuals who live to be 100 years of age or older must have good genes. Now, Italian scientists have confirmed that this is the case.

“The 105 threshold is really tough to jump and those who surpass it are really super athletes in terms of aging,” according to Paolo Garagnani, PhD, associate professor of general pathology at the University of Bologna.

In addition to living an extended lifespan, these elders–termed “super centenarians” by the scientists–are often able to avoid the long periods of illness that can plague the end of an elder’s life.

Curious to know how these individuals live so long, Garagnani and his team searched in Italy for those aged 105 or greater. Italy was ideal for Garagnani’s research because Italy’s life expectancy is one of the longest in the world. Additionally, the regional Catholic Church has kept extensive records of baptisms, which helped the researchers confirm the ages of the participants.

Garagnani’s team took blood samples from 81 participants and then conducted whole-genome sequencing to look for differences between the super centenarians and younger generations. They concluded that those who live past 100 have a genetic makeup that makes their bodies very efficient at repairing DNA. They were also at a lower risk for cancer, heart attack, and stroke.

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles).

Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

A DNA Test to Predict Your Susceptibility to COVID-19?

If you haven’t contracted COVID-19 and are nervous to re-enter society, you might be tempted by this sales pitch.

An Australian company is currently marketing a DNA test to American consumers that predicts how deadly COVID-19 would be to you if you were to contract it. All you have to do is spit in a tube, mail off your DNA, and find out if you’re one of the 10-15% of Americans who might end up in the hospital or die from the virus.

The test costs $175 test and uses genetic markers linked to severe COVID-19 and other risk factors to determine an individual’s potential COVID-19 severity.

“I think it’s premature to use a genetic test to predict a person’s likely COVID-19 severity. We don’t understand exactly what these genetic variants mean or how they affect disease,” says genetic epidemiologist Priya Duggal of Johns Hopkins University.

Instead of being helpful, Priya Duggal is concerned that this test might encourage risky social behavior in individuals who receive a result indicating their severity risk is low. Duggal recommends treatment options remain the same regardless of if the test indicates a patient has a higher chance of death.

Although the test is available for purchase, it should be noted that the test has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

While a potentially helpful tool in the future, this test is not ready to be used to make medical decisions. Scientists are determined to continue studying and developing a DNA test, but in the meantime, it’s best to not waste your money.

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles).

Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

DNA Kits on Sale – Are They Worth It?

Holidays are an excellent time for direct-to-consumer companies to market their DNA kits, and Father’s Day is no exception. If you’re shopping around for a last-minute Father’s Day gift, you might notice that certain sites are selling 23andMe and Ancestry DNA take-at-home kits for a discounted price. Is this the personal and memorable Father’s Day gift you’ve been looking for?

Unfortunately, direct-to-consumer DNA kits are riddled with problems and may not be the best gift for your father.

For starters, you relinquish the privacy of your DNA when you submit your test tube. When you use a direct-to-consumer company, your DNA is stored in a massive database. This DNA can be sold to pharmaceutical or other healthcare companies and can be accessed by police for forensic purposes.

Additionally, take-at-home tests are notorious for being used in scams, information being stolen through the mail, or incorrect results sent to the consumer.

Finally, direct-to-consumer kits often boast of answers they can’t provide. Many popular kits advertise they can predict future diseases or determine your ideal weight loss diet. While these kits might provide some clues to your health, they shouldn’t be used in place of your doctor’s wisdom.

If you need to know answers to your DNA questions, it’s best to submit your DNA through your doctor or a trusted source like DNA Paternity Testing.

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles).

Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

Woman Reunited With Parents After 50 Years

Here’s another heartwarming story of reunification from genetic testing, but this one has a special twist!

Laura Mabry of Springdale, Arkansas, was adopted in 1968 by Wayne and Darline Montgomery. 52 years later, she decided to find her biological parents through genetic testing.

Mabry took a DNA test in 2019 and was able to locate her mother, Donna Horn. “We started communicating by text and email,” Mabry told World News Tonight. “She said, ‘Are you interested in knowing who your father is?’ I was like ‘Of course I am!'”

Horn explained that Mabry’s father was Joe Cougill. They were high school sweethearts; Cougill a basketball player and Horn a cheerleader. When Horn got pregnant, they decided on adoption.

Mabry was able to find Cougill and put the high school sweethearts in touch again!

“I gave him her phone number, and they started to talk immediately, and they just immediately bonded because, you know, he was divorced and her husband had passed away,” Mabry said. “So they were both single. And they immediately started talking, and I mean that was just that.”

In May 2020, 50 years after the two were separated, Horn and Cougill were married.

“This has fulfilled something in my life that even I didn’t realize I needed so much,” Mabry said.

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles).

Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

DNA Tests Can Reveal Unwanted Information

You’ve heard the stories time and time again: the well-intended DNA kit for a holiday or birthday gift unearthed some buried family secrets. With the results from an innocent test, families must now process and adapt to new, painful information.

That’s why many experts caution individuals considering a DNA test to look beyond the price tag and consider the lasting cost of the DNA kit. It can be fun to know trivial details about yourself, but sometimes greater knowledge can lead to greater heartbreak. If you’re just looking to scratch a curiosity itch, you may want to pass on a direct-to-consumer take-at-home test.

That being said, DNA tests can be very useful tools for a variety of purposes! However, it’s important to use a quality test and a reliable company. We believe you’ll find all that and more at DNA Paternity Testing!

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry.

Unlike direct-to-consumer tests that may steal your genetic information and identity, we never sell or trade your DNA! This is true even of our take-at-home kits. You can rest assured that your genetic information is safe and secure.

With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles).

Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

Can DNA Predict Your Relationship Quality?

Is it possible that your genetic makeup has something to do with your relationship quality? If you’ve struggled to maintain lasting, healthy relationships or find yourself still single, you may wonder if something outside your control is the cause.

According to a 2014 study, certain variants of the gene CD38 enable you to have higher rates of gratitude. Scientists call this the “behavioral and psychological ‘glue’ to bind individuals closer together.”

Another recent study conducted at the University of Arkansas followed up on this study. Taking the saliva of 142 newlyweds three months after marriage, they examined the same gratitude gene variant to see if there was a correlation between DNA and satisfaction in the first years of marriage.

There are two variants of the CD38 gene: CC variant or the AC/AA variant. The study concluded that people with the CC variant (and had higher levels of gratitude) were “more likely to report higher trust in their partner, more likely to forgive their partner, and more satisfied in their marriages than people with the AC/AA variant.”

Obviously, there are many factors in relationships that extend beyond genetics, so one shouldn’t blame their genetics for relationship struggles. Additionally, individuals with the AC/AA variant of the CD38 gene (less prone to gratitude) can learn and overcome this genetic factor!

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles).

Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

The False Assurance or Fear of Take-at-Home Tests

Many people use take-at-home DNA kits to determine their ancestral heritage, locate long-lost family members, an ideal diet plan, or predict possible future diseases.

However, these take-at-home tests can have unintended consequences.

About four years ago, Sara Altschule received a 23AndMe kit as a holiday gift. “I, unfortunately, got my test results back which did show that I carry the BRCA2 mutation, which increases my risk of developing breast cancer by quite a bit, and ovarian cancer,” Altschule said.

Altschule underwent a preventative double mastectomy with reconstruction as a result of her DNA test. Although Altschule is grateful for the test, she cautions that a positive result can burden family members that they also might carry the mutation.

Take-at-home DNA kits can give a false sense of fear or assurance depending on your results. If you receive favorable results, you might be inclined to slack on healthy practices such as eating right and exercising. If you receive troubling results, you may be inclined towards fear and anxiety anticipating a disease for yourself or your family.

Regardless of your results, it’s best to consult a genetic counselor to confirm your results. It’s also important to continue healthy practices for optimal health and not worry about the future. No one’s future is locked in; your genes express themselves differently depending on nutrition, exercise, stress, and more!

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles).

Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

DNA Databases Could Prevent Future Crime

Incarcerating criminals is a huge taxpayer burden with not a lot of payback. About half of individuals released from prison are locked up again within three years. Many offenders don’t plan for the future, so adding years to their sentence isn’t as much of a deterrent as law enforcement would hope.

Is there a better way to deter crime than the threat of frequent incarceration?

A growing body of evidence suggests the most effective way to deter crime is to increase the probability of getting caught rather than the punishment sentence received.

Instead of hiring more police officers, law enforcement is turning to technology in the form of DNA databases for cheaper and less invasive ways to prevent crime.

Every state in the U.S. has a DNA database for criminal offenders. These separate state databases are linked to form a national network called CODIS, maintained by the FBI. Additionally, there is a separate database contains DNA profiles from unsolved crime scenes.

These databases provide new leads in cold cases and other crimes. Newly-uploaded DNA from a crime scene is compared with the DNA profiles in the offender database. Any matches are sent to local law enforcement and to provide leads on an otherwise cold case.

Ultimately, this means is that offenders who might have expected to get away with their crimes are now more likely to get caught, providing a bigger deterrent to crime.

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles).

Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!