DNA testing is a very effective means of confirming parent-child relationships when a person feels that their child does not look like them. The fact that a parent and child do not look alike does not necessarily mean that there is no parent-child relationship, but DNA testing is often the method of choice when a person wants to resolve doubts or gain certainty.
1. How DNA testing works
DNA testing is a scientific method of proving whether a parent-child relationship exists by comparing the DNA information inherited from parents to their children.The results of the test are highly accurate: if a parent-child relationship exists, the relationship is confirmed with an accuracy of 99.9% or better; if there is no relationship, it is reported as 0%.
2. Why children do not resemble their parents
- Genetic complexity: external features (e.g. facial features, hair color) are influenced not only by the genes of the parents, but also by the genes of the grandparents and other family members. It is therefore possible for a child to differ in appearance from both parents, but this does not negate the parent-child relationship.
- Gene combinations: children inherit 50% of their genes from each parent, but depending on the combination of genes they inherit, they may not look much like either parent.
3. The DNA testing process
- Specimen collection: usually a swab of cells from the oral cavity (inside the cheek).This is a simple, painless procedure and results are available within a few weeks after sending to a laboratory.
- Reporting of results: results are reported with an accuracy of at least 99.9% if a parent-child relationship exists, and 0% if not.
4.Costs and implementation methods
DNA testing can be carried out for around JPY 100,000 for private purposes, and may cost around JPY 200,000 if legal evidence is required. The appraisal can be carried out by a laboratory or you can collect a sample at home using a special ‘DNA analysis kit’.
5. Points for attention
Just because a parent and child do not look alike does not necessarily mean that there is a problem with the parent-child relationship; DNA testing provides scientific evidence, but the results can have psychological consequences, so counselling is recommended if necessary.
Summary
If you have doubts about the parent-child relationship because your child does not look like you, a DNA test can confirm the parent-child relationship in a scientifically reliable way. It is important to consult a specialized agency if necessary, as differences in appearance or appearance do not negate the parent-child relationship.
略歴
- 1996年 慶應義塾大学医学部 卒業
- 2004年 慶應義塾大学 医学博士号 取得
- 2005年 慶應義塾大学 皮膚科学教室 助手
- 2008年 ヒロ皮フ形成クリニック 開業
- 2009年 医療法人社団福美会 理事長
- 2015年 医療法人社団福美会 理事
資格・所属
- CAPラボディレクター
- 日本皮膚科学会 皮膚科専門医
- 日本医師会 産業医
- 東京衛生検査所 指導監督医
この記事は、 ヒロクリニックNIPPTの編集・監修体制 にもとづき、資格を持つ医師が内容を確認しています。
堤 修一 （つつみ しゅういち）
医師・医学博士 ／ ヒロクリニック博多駅前院 院長
略歴
- 1993年 東京大学医学部医学科 卒業
- 2016〜2019年 東京大学先端科学技術研究センター 准教授
発信・関連リンク
この記事は、 ヒロクリニックNIPPTの編集・監修体制 にもとづき、資格を持つ医師が内容を確認しています。
参考文献
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- Brédart S, French RM. Do baby pictures look like their fathers? Nature. 1999 Dec 9;402(6762):596.
- Alvergne A, Faurie C, Raymond M. Differential facial resemblance of young children to their parents: who do children look like more? Evol Hum Behav. 2007 Mar;28(2):135-44.
- Liu F, Wollstein A, Hysi PG, Chiang CW, Spector TD, Nothnagel M, et al. A genome-wide association study identifies five loci influencing facial morphology in Europeans. PLoS Genet. 2012 Sep;8(9):e1002932.
- Adhikari K, Fuentes-Guajardo M, Quinto-Cortés CD, Mendoza-Revilla J, Camilo Chacón-Duque J, Acuña-Alonzo V, et al. A genome-wide association scan implicates DCHS2, RUNX2, GLI3, PAX1 and EDAR in human facial variation. Nat Commun. 2016 May 19;7:11616.
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Supervisor of the article
Dr. Hiroshi Oka
Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
Medical Doctor
