Let’s Learn About Paternity Testing Methods and Costs

Let’s Learn About Paternity Testing Methods and

Costs

In the case of parents, each passes on their own genes to their children,

and children are born carrying these genetic traits.

In general, when a child is suspected of being born from an extramarital relationship,

or when there is concern that babies were switched at a hospital, a paternity test is carried out.

Today, I will introduce in various ways the definition, methods, costs, and more of paternity testing,

which is often seen in dramas and movies.

A paternity test, which is generally performed to determine the genetic relationship between parents and children,

is a method that analyzes the match rate of specific DNA regions.

In dramas and movies, the test is requested to use as evidence of infidelity, but overseas it is often requested

to confirm whether embryos were switched.

A child born to parents who are married is automatically established as a biological child

under the law without any separate procedure.

If you want to establish a parent-child relationship again,

you can consider a paternity confirmation procedure, and in Korea this is often done

when a child is suspected of being born from an extramarital relationship.

Because a child’s DNA is passed down from the parents, if 50% of the DNA matches,

biological paternity can be proven.

A test using a cotton swab lightly rubbed inside the mouth for 10 seconds is commonly performed,

but it is also possible with other body tissues, cigarette butts, toothbrushes, and more.

A fetus during pregnancy can also undergo a paternity test,

and the judgment can be made by comparing the man’s DNA profile information with fetal DNA in the mother’s blood.

Many people may wonder whether a covert paternity test is legally possible, but a test conducted

without the consent of the person involved is illegal.

In general, genetic testing is restricted under the Act on Bioethics and Safety,

and if a test is carried out without consent, a fine may be imposed.

Even if the test result shows that the person is not the biological child,

the parent-child relationship is not legally severed immediately.

If the child wants to establish a parent-child relationship with the parent,

a paternity acknowledgment lawsuit can be filed, and there must be evidence of a biological relationship

through a genetic test.

In addition, because issues of human dignity and self-determination are involved,

the test cannot be forced, though there are indirect methods.

Test costs vary by institution, but they can be estimated at around 100,000 to 300,000 won,

and submissions requiring legal validity may be more expensive.

The documents required for the test include the examinee’s ID, a death certificate in the case of a deceased person,

a family relationship certificate, and for minors, parental consent is absolutely necessary.

In one sense, paternity testing is often performed in situations where family trust has weakened,

but I hope it will be used more valuably in criminal investigations and other important cases.