Can a DNA test be performed before the child is
born?
Yes is the short answer!
However there are risks involved in performing a DNA test on
an unborn child. These risks are associated with the fact that
material from either the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby,
or from the chorionic villus present in the womb, must be obtained
in order to provide the source DNA material from the unborn
child.
Both procedures carry differing risks of spontaneous
abortion, and should really only be considered as a last resort.
There are some countries such as the UK which will not carry
out this type of sampling process, if the only reason for
doing the DNA test is to determine paternity.
Other countries allow such testing, but make clear the risks
involved in doing so. Unless there is a very strong compelling
reason to proceed with DNA testing, it should really wait until
the child is born! |
