As with most businesses, due to increased operating costs, including the Affordable Care Act, we have no choice but to increase the cost of our DNA tests effective January 1, 2014. All DNA tests ordered on or before December 31, 2013, even if the actual testing takes place after January 1, 2014, will be at our current price structure.
Bio-Gene DNA Testing remains committed to providing the most accurate DNA testing services available at the lowest possible cost to our clients. We thank you for your understanding.
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In a sibling comparison, the two or more siblings that are being tested don’t have to share DNA in common at all the markers like a father and child. This means that the outcome of a sibling comparison relies solely on statistics. In a sibling case, we are trying to determine if it is more likely that they share two common parents, one common parent or no common parents. To put it another way, are the parties we are testing full siblings, half siblings, or unrelated.
We write two conclusions in our reports. The first conclusion assumes that the participants have the same mother (one common parent), and gives the probability of whether they are full siblings or half siblings. The second conclusion assumes that the participants have different mothers and reports the probability of whether they are half siblings or unrelated. We are therefore able to get a result that will show you are not related, or you have a very high probability of being sibling (the highest possible in testing is 99.9%)
The most accurate method of testing is to use a buccal swab, which is similar to a “Q-tip”, which has been rubbed on the cheeks of the mouth of those being tested. We provide these with our collection kits. However, sometimes it is not possible to obtain a buccal sample. We are able to test alternative samples, normally at no extra cost. The sample should be stored in a paper envelope or breathable environment for best results. The sample should not have been stored in a plastic bag at any time. If you have questions, please call one of our Certified DNA Examiners to discuss your particular sample prior to ordering a test. When using an alternate sample you do run the risk of the non-standard sample failing for unexplained reasons.
Some of the alternative samples that can usually be tested include:
- Blood sample
- Toothbrush
- Bandaid (Used)
- Feminine Hygiene
- Ear wax
- Chewed gum
- Tooth
- Fingernails
- Tissue (Used)
- Hair (8-10 strands with the roots attached)
Please take a moment to review some of our case studies. The benefits of testing more markers can be found in the multiple cases in each scenario. If you have any questions, be sure to consult with a Case Manager at 1-800-xxx-xxxx.
Bio-Gene’s 41 Marker Sibling DNA Test
The following information helps to understand the difference between 16 marker test (used by most testing companies) results and our 41 marker test results.
Case 1
This case illustrates why testing more markers will produce more accurate results. Samples were voluntarily collected from our lab employees and their families and then sibling comparisons were performed. One case stood out because two sisters, that were known to be FULL siblings, were being reported as having a 95.39% probability they were half siblings when using the industry standard 16 marker test. Why did the 16 marker test produce a result that was false? Sibling DNA testing is based on statistics and, with such a limited number of data points, in the case only 16 markers, the statistics were wrong. In order to lower the possibility of this happening, Bio-Gene has chosen to only perform tests with more DNA markers, or data points. When we examined these sisters using our 41 marker test, we found the probability to be 97.15% that they were full siblings, which was already known to be true.
Case 2
The two siblings in this case were adults whose parents were deceased. They had different mothers and wanted to know if they were half siblings. They had always had a suspicion that they might not share the same father and turned to DNA testing to put their minds at ease. The results of the 16 marker test found that the probability of being unrelated was only 78.83% and it seemed that their suspicion might be correct. However, the percentage was not high enough to conclusively say they were not related. When the 41 marker test was applied to their case, it was found that the probability they did not share the same father was 98.66%.
Case 3
In this sibling case, the purpose of testing was to determine if the two possbile siblings were half siblings or unrelated. In this case, both mothers also contributed samples. It was reported that the probability they did not share the same father was 71.67% after testing all four people with 16 markers. A percentage this low cannot be trusted as it is not a conclusive result. After testing with the 41 marker sibling test, the results indicated that the probabilty of being unrelated increased to 99.96%.
Case 4
Two men had the same mother and the standard 16 marker sibling test was performed. It was found that the probability of being half siblings was only 75.23%, which is an inconclusive result. When the 41 maker sibling test was used, they were found to more likely half siblings at 99.77%.
The conclusions that can be drawn from these cases is that 16 markers will not be enough to test in most cases, if a conclusive result is desired.
To order your Sibling DNA test kit, please complete the order form below and you will be taken to our secure server. We offer a single pay option (at a discounted price) as well as a payment plan, because we understand that every case is unique. Our prices can be found by selecting the test of your choice, the number of people testing, and your payment preferences when providing the information that is relevant to your particular case.
If you have questions you can e-mail us at siblings [at] biogenednatesting.com, or you may call one of our Case Managers at 1-888-391-5256 to discuss your case confidentially.