Why Is A Grandparent DNA Test Done?
A grandparent DNA test is done to confirm a child is related to the grandparent or confirm maternity or paternity when the child’s mother or father is unavailable.
This test helps confirm the biological relationship between a grandchild and a grandparent.
How Does It Work?
The grandparent DNA test is performed using a test kit.
This DNA testing kit has easy-to-use mouth swabs that help collect a DNA sample from the individual.
The swab sample contains cells with the complete genetic information of the grandparent in the form of DNA.
Once the sample arrives at the laboratory, a polymerase chain reaction is performed to extract the DNA from the cells. This test amplifies the region of the cells that reveal DNA patterns.
This DNA pattern from the grandparents is then compared with that of the grandchild.
Based on this comparison, a statistical analysis is generated based on the match type. This is true for biologically-related grandparent and grandchild pairs.
The analysis also gives a grandparentage index.
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What Can The Test Results Reveal?
True grandparent-grandchild pairs will have a higher grandparentage index (usually over 1.0) in the report.
If the two individuals are not biologically related as grandparent-grandchild, their grandparentage index will be lesser than 1.0.
The greater the grandparentage index over 1.0, the more likely the two individuals are biologically related.
Legal Grandparent DNA Test
Overview
A legal grandparent DNA test is done for similar reasons as a legal paternity test, such as
- Child custody
- Social security benefits
- Adding a name to the child’s birth certificate
- Child support
- Court orders
- Estate or will reason
- Adoption cases
- Immigration
The DNA must be obtained from both grandparents on the father’s side. However, if one is unavailable, a single grandparent's DNA is acceptable.
These grandparents must be biologically related to the father (not a step-parent).
Sample Collection
The sample collection for a legal grandparent DNA test is usually performed by a neutral, impartial third party, usually at a medical office, hospital, or health clinic.
A legal DNA sample can be collected by anyone with no vested interest in the test outcome.
How Long Does It Take?
The time taken for the results of the grandparent DNA test depends upon the laboratory performing the test.
However, at the earliest, you can get your results in around three to five business days.
At-home Test
A grandparent DNA test is available as an at-home option.
The private at-home test kit is an option who wish to know if the grandparent and grandchild are biologically related before proceeding to the next step.
This test provides the same results as the legal grandparent DNA test. However, the results of this test cannot be produced for legal reasons.
If you choose an at-home grandparent DNA test kit, the collected swab samples must be sent to a private laboratory for testing.
At-home sample collection is easy and takes a few minutes.
Does 23andMe Do A Grandparent DNA Test?
Grandchildren do not inherit DNA equally from all four grandparents.
A child’s DNA is usually shuffled between parents and grandparents by a process called recombination.
23andMe offers a new tool called the GrandTree that allows families to connect across three generations.
This tool connects grandparents and grandchildren.
23andMe’s GrandTree tool also offers a deeper insight into other relations like siblings, parents, and children.
You can now see what traits and ancestry you share with your blood relatives.
Families using 23andMe’s GrandTree tool can connect differently, bridging the gap in each generation.
Also Read: How to download your 23andMe Raw Data for 3000+ Health Reports
Summary
- A grandparent DNA test is performed to confirm if the individual is the grandparent of a child.
- The grandparent DNA test can be done at home or by a third-party agency when the results are needed for legal purposes.
- The test confirms the relationship by studying a metric called grandparentage index - if it is higher than 1.0 if two individuals are related as grandparent-grandchild.
- Legal grandparent DNA test is used for child custody, social security benefits, will or estate-related reasons, and adoption cases.
- At-home tests can also be used to confirm granparentage - however, the results cannot be used in a legal setting.
