Paternity Testing
Demand for paternity testing in Australia is greater than ever. Australia’s largest paternity test provider, Genetic Technologies, was reported in 2012 to conduct around 10,000 DNA tests a year. Citing ‘peace of mind tests’ those ordered via internet and using a quick cheek swab from man and child rather than the legally admissible tests as their bread and butter business.
Not just for paternity tests, some web based DNA testing agencies advertise testing your DNA for better success with dieting. Whilst we’re not sure about that, paternity testing is certainly a hot topic in Australia.
Changes to child support laws in 2007 allowed any parent to seek a DNA test to determine the paternity of his or her child.
Men’s support groups welcomed the development, saying too many men had been duped by former partners into supporting children who were not theirs.
Men’s Rights Agency director Sue Price stated in an interview in The Australian in 2011 that as many as 30 per cent of men who had a DNA test found they were not the biological father.
Whilst this figure is dramatically inflated from the truth, following the changes to child support laws there have been nearly 600 cases of paternity testing blowing the whistle on bogus child support claims in Australia.
Parentage testing is the term used by government agencies for paternity testing. DNA testing is generally accepted as being the most accurate testing method available. The result of the test can show that a man is highly likely to be the father or not, it does not give a yes or no answer.
Paternity testing is not to be taken lightly. Firstly there’s the cost. Testing three people and a full report costs approximately $700 $800. If the dispute is to go to court, the courts will only accept the results of accredited laboratories. So the costs, with legal advice thrown in and depending on the results, could be much more than the test itself.
Secondly, the trauma of putting children through the ordeal of paternity testing is at the centre of this hot debate. Whilst the changes gave recourse for men compelled to financially support children they did not father some argued that there was more to being a father than DNA.
Testing takes about one month. However, if court orders for child support are required, proving parentage (or not) may take about four months.
There’s no doubt paternity disputes can be traumatic for both parents and children. The prevailing advice is, if there is doubt, check early. It can save a lot of heartache in the long term.
