Dangers of DIY paternity tests.. Dear Miriam.

Byline: MIRIAM STOPPARD

My postbag contains many letters from readers worried about who's the father of a baby.

Sometimes I hear from wives who are not certain if their husband is the dad. Other times, ex-partners say they suspect they're not the real father of a child they're paying to support.

I always give them the same advice - think long and hard before deciding to go for a DNA test, because the fallout can be devastating.

From now on I will also warn anyone who writes to me against buying the new over-the-counter test that goes on sale in chemists this month. I think this paternity test kit has the potential to cause damage - both to the adults who use it and, of course, to the children in question.

In recent years, DNA testing has become a normal part of modern life - fuelled by daytime talk shows such as The Jeremy Kyle Show, where bitter paternity disputes are played out in front of the cameras.

But I loathe this trend for confessional TV in which paternity tests are brandished like a weapon by couples intent on causing each other maximum pain. And I blame this trend in part for creating a market for DIY tests.

How do paternity tests work?

Thanks to the discovery of DNA, for the past 25 years we've had the scientific ability to establish - with 99.9% accuracy - if a man is the father of a child.

DNA samples of the child and father are taken from blood, or more commonly from a mouth swab, and compared to see if they match in terms of unique genetic markers.

The new pounds 30 kit contains swabs for the child, father and, optionally, the mother, to be wiped inside the cheek of each person to collect their DNA.

These are then sent to a lab abroad for testing at an additional cost of pounds 119. Within a week the company will send back results by post, email or over the phone.

Open for abuse?

I have serious concerns that people may use these tests in a sneaky way. While it's illegal in Britain to take DNA from an adult without their consent, it is legal to take a swab from those under 16 - as long as consent is obtained from a guardian. This means, by using this new test, a father could check whether he's a child's biological parent without the mother's knowledge.

Also wine glasses, chewing gum and hair samples can be used in other DNA tests by unscrupulous internet companies, and may be sent overseas to avoid British law and be processed in a country where it is legal.

Lack of support

One of the things I find most worrying about a DIY paternity test is the lack of support the people using it will have.

I strongly believe that nobody should begin the paternity test process without first having some sort of counselling to ensure they are ready to find out the truth.

They should also have the option of further counselling to help them cope with the results.

With this shop-bought test there's no way of ensuring this help is in place.

I can only imagine the rows and even violence that could occur if an unstable person discovers they're not the father of "their" child.

It's dangerous to treat such strong emotions lightly or assume there won't be repercussions after discovering such powerful news.

The company behind this new test claims the kits offer a quick and affordable solution that doesn't require any courts, doctors or solicitors.

But I don't think this is a good thing. When we're dealing with such serious and potentially acrimonious situations, I favour the court system as a safeguard to ensure things are conducted properly.

Don't go it alone

You can't get a paternity test on the NHS - it is a service you have to pay for.

If you do choose to have one done privately, I still think you should speak to your GP first.

They may be able to tell you where you can get the test carried out, and may even be able to take the necessary blood or mouth swab samples from you.

More importantly, your GP can refer you to a counsellor to talk over your decision.

SHOULD I DO A DNA CHECK?

Before you decide to do any sort of DNA paternity test, you must carefully analyse your reasons for wanting to do it. Here are some questions you should ask yourself...

(1) Who is likely to get hurt if the results aren't what I want to hear?

(2) Who, if anyone, will benefit from the test? Bear in mind that proving a child's paternity may not save a relationship that has such serious trusts issues in the first place.

(3) What about the impact on the child? It's vital that the best interests of the child are considered at all times to ensure you're not sacrificing his or her happiness and well-being just to satisfy curiosity or settle old scores. How will the child feel if the person they call "dad" is suddenly taken from them?

(4) Does everyone involved understand what the test means?

(5) Have I got support or counselling in place to help me deal with the fallout?

Additional research: CAROLINE JONES