Medically Assisted Procreation & DNA Test
- Info Test ADN
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Medically Assisted Procreation (MAP) encompasses all medical techniques designed to help conceive a child. MAP, also known as “Assisted Reproductive Technology” (ART), is regulated by bioethics laws in order to address individuals who have difficulties conceiving children through natural means, often due to serious illnesses or infertility.
There are several methods that use scientific technologies and procedures to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy by bypassing the process of sexual intercourse:
Artificial insemination:
Artificial insemination techniques involve artificially injecting sperm, more or less prepared, at the time of ovulation. The goal is to trigger natural fertilization using the sperm of the partner or a donor.
In vitro fertilization (IVF):
This technique involves triggering the fertilization of the egg and sperm in a laboratory. The embryo is then placed in the mother’s uterus to continue its growth naturally. Fertilization can be carried out with the sperm and oocyte of the partner or a donor.
Surrogacy:
Surrogacy is a medical technique in which the child is carried by a third-party woman who agrees to hand over the baby at birth. Fertilization takes place in a laboratory with the sperm and oocyte of the intended parents or donors, and the embryo is then implanted in the uterus of the surrogate mother, as in in vitro fertilization.
Can an error occur during MAP?
Of course, the answer is yes and it could be expected—complications may arise during medically assisted reproduction. As previously mentioned, MAP completely bypasses the process of sexual intercourse and uses medical intervention to create the embryo.
This medical intervention is facilitated by human involvement, but unfortunately, it is also subject to human error.
During assisted fertilization, it is possible that the egg, sperm, or embryo of the intended parents may be accidentally swapped with someone else’s. Although this does not hinder the process itself, it will inadvertently cause confusion later for the family. If a sample has been mixed up, the child will naturally bear the characteristics of the inherited genes: a difference in the child’s physical features and behavior.
How can an error occur during IVF?
While the chances of this happening are not impossible, they are rare. IVF procedures involve very small microscopic samples, which are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye. Samples are placed in containers labeled with the donor’s details, which is the only way to differentiate between samples.
Errors generally occur during the labeling of the sample or by mixing up already labeled containers. It is also possible that the equipment used for the procedure is not properly cleaned, allowing previous samples to contaminate new ones.
To minimize risks and avoid any legal disputes with the laboratory, it is recommended to conduct thorough research on the medical center before committing to a procedure. Check reviews left by other people and the accreditation of the facility offering this type of service.
How can parentage be verified after MAP?
After undergoing Medically Assisted Procreation, it is possible for parents to have doubts about their biological relationship with the child. This questioning is almost natural when the results do not align with the expectations of the parents and the family involved. There is a non-exhaustive list of elements that can be reviewed and compared with the parents:
Eye, hair, and skin color
Physical characteristics (resemblance and birthmarks)
Blood type
Predispositions to genetic diseases
Today, a DNA test is also possible between the parents and the child to verify the biological relationship. Genetic analysis will allow, with varying degrees of certainty, to determine whether MAP was performed using the parents’ samples.
Which DNA test should be done after MAP?
The DNA test will compare the child’s genetic profile with that of a family member to determine the biological relationship. Depending on the participants available for this analysis, the DNA comparison can be more or less reliable. Therefore, we always recommend doing the test as soon as possible with the presumed parents.
Paternity Test:
Paternity verification can be carried out with a DNA paternity test by comparing the DNA of the child and a presumed father. This analysis can be done using saliva samples collected from a baby, a child, or an adult, or using discreet samples such as hair, nails, or a toothbrush.
The DNA paternity test will definitively determine the biological relationship between the father and the child, with a 100% reliability rate for a negative result and 99% for a positive result.
The mother’s sample can also be added during the paternity analysis. This will allow you to obtain a report from the laboratory displaying all genetic profiles, but this report will not provide any conclusion on the link with the mother. If there is doubt about both parents, it is important to perform a separate maternity test in addition to the paternity test.
Maternity Test:
Maternity verification can be done with a DNA maternity test by comparing the DNA of the child and a presumed mother. The analysis is also carried out using saliva samples or discreet (non-standard) samples such as hair, nails, or a toothbrush.
Just like the paternity test, the DNA maternity test allows for a definitive determination of the biological relationship between the mother and the child, with a 100% reliability rate for a negative result and 99% for a positive result.
If the parents are no longer available to undergo a DNA test, the child can also compare their genes with other family members. These types of tests are less reliable than maternity and paternity tests, as they only provide percentage-based results depending on the number of participants and an indirect comparison:
Sibling Test
Avuncular Test
Grandparent Test
Mitochondrial DNA Test:
The mitochondrial DNA test can be conducted to determine a maternal lineage with all siblings born of the same mother, and all women who share the same maternal lineage. The result provides either a positive or negative answer.
Y or X Chromosome Test :
Depending on the search for paternity or maternity and the gender of the child (boy or girl), it is also possible to use X or Y chromosome tests with members of the same lineage:
Paternal for the Y chromosome between boys
Maternal for the X chromosome between girls
However, please keep in mind that if the donor is a family member of the parents, a DNA test will not provide a reliable answer in DNA comparison.
The only option is to compare the DNA of both fathers (or mothers, depending on the case) in an extended paternity test, including the DNA of the biological mother and the child.