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It sounds as if it’s straight out of a movie: After years of being best friends, two girls realize that they are actually sisters. We’ve seen similar situations on the big screen, in movies like Parent Trap, but this Hollywood-esque scenario was a real life fairytale for two girls from a small town in Missouri.

Brandy Hersh and Heidi Wickware grew up in the same town, went to the same elementary and junior high school but did not become acquainted until they were in their mid twenties. Introduced by their boyfriends, the two girls felt an instant connection towards one another and became best friends over the next few years.

After the two had been friends for awhile, a series of coincidences led the girls to believe that they may actually be related. When Heidi’s mother, Lisa, found out that Brandy was adopted, she began inquiring about Brandy. Lisa then revealed that before Heidi was born, she had given up a daughter who shared the same birthday as Brandy, as well as the same birth town and birth hospital, oddly enough.

After waiting over 18 months for adoption records to be released, the girls decided to go a different route; Brandy and Heidi concluded that DNA testing would be a much better (and quicker) option for them.  After a bit or research the girls chose a reputable DNA testing facility that offered Siblingship DNA Testing, which would provide them with the answers they were looking for.

Sibling DNA Testing determines the statistical probability of whether two people share the same parents or not; after both Brandy and Heidi were tested,  the girls anxiously awaited  the results that would prove once and for all whether they were, in fact, related or not.

Thanks to DNA testing, Brandy and Heidi soon found out that they were indeed related. The DNA test results showed a positive conclusion that Brandy and Heidi were 100% sisters, sharing both the same mother and father.

Can you see the resemblance?

The one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death was this past June and only one month later allegations of an alleged illegitimate “love child” surfaced in the news.  Who is the woman who is claiming to be Michael Jackson’s “love child?”

Mocienne Petit Jackson claims that her mother Barbara Ross, who other than sister to the famous Supreme’s Diva, Diana Ross was impregnated by the late Michael Jackson in 1975 at the age of 17.  If the story is not outlandish enough with Moceienne’s relation to not just one, but TWO music legends, Mrs. Mocienne Petit Jackson also claims that Katherine Jackson had ill intentions of abducting her to send her to Belgium in order to protect Michael’s reputation.

After all is said and done, Mocienne decided to appear in front of judge this past July to request a DNA test to confirm her claims to the Kings throne and whatever else he owns.  She claims that she deserves “her” rightful share to MJ’s estate; however, Mocienne was denied any further steps in DNA testing.  Although Mocienne has little to no resemblance to the late Pop King, does she still deserve a fair trial and chance to prove herself? Perhaps her story is all too familiar and she, despite her last name, is just another citizen trying to take advantage of Michael’s wealth and fame.

DNA Paternity testing is the only way Mocienne can prove her allegations, but denial by the judge unfortunately will not allow her to do so.  If DNA Paternity testing is the ONLY solution to this dilemma, perhaps Mocienne should be given a chance. What is your opinion? Do you think Mocienne has a chance or is she just another crazed fan who seeks a piece of the King’s legend?

The National Cancer Institute has recently considered recommending the possibility of DNA vulnerability testing for cancer, among other health conditions. This may be a good way to help individuals determine the appropriate actions to take ahead of time. DNA testing laboratories are known for offering a variety of testing services but one of their most interesting tests is DNA Predisposition Testing. This test is used to measure the tendency to important health concern.  The conditions that reviewed are analyzed by professionals and are validated according to the CLIA and ISO 17025 requirements. Their goal is to inform you of any major health concerns that you may face in the future so that you can take the proper precautions to prepare or avoid these health concerns.

How does it work?

The DNA testing company uses advanced technology and science to analyze an individual’s DNA and revealing their vulnerability to specific health conditions. The testing results are presented to the individual in a report with each condition identified as high, low, or medium risk. Dr. Lisa Misell, is their Genetic Counselor who helps you interpret your report and answer any questions you may have. This counseling is extra step in the DNA predisposition test but is highly recommended.

What does the DNA Predisposition Test Cover?

Cardiovascular Conditions

  • Aneurysm
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Heart Disease
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease
  • Venous Thromboembolism

Immune System

  • Lupus
  • Graves’ Disease
  • Celiac Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Psoriasis

Aging

  • Macular Degeneration
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

General Health

  • Obesity
  • Migraine
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Type 2 Diabetes

Cancers

  • Bladder Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Gastric Cancer
  • Lung Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Skin Cancer

The conditions covered by this test are all deemed for being the most known forums of death among individuals. They offer their predisposition testing for 25 diseases and conditions in order to ensure that the testing is beneficial to the individual.

It’s an unlikely story that a political candidate runs for office and all of a sudden his geneological roots are headline news for the entire world to see.  I believe this was intensified back in 2008 when senator and now President, Barack Obama was scrutinized for his authenticity as a United States citizen.  Although there have been several claims that President Obama is in fact NOT a U.S citizen, there is factual proof from a probable copy of Obama’s birth certificate that states Obama was born at 7:24 p.m. Aug. 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii.Is Barack Obama a U.S citizen?

As President Obama is nearly half way through his presidential term, it seems ridiculous to continue dwelling on the idea that he is not a United States Citizen.  Of course there should be concerns whether the man chosen to run the country is a natural born citizen, but as the Obama administration has pointed out, the paper needed to prove his authenticity is in fact now public. I am sure Senator Arnold over in California would have been pretty upset had Obama’s citizenship been false, but rest assured, Obama is a natural born citizen.

So how do we know this?

President Obama is a natural born citizen because of the following two reasons.

  • The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizenship at birth to almost all individuals born in the United States or in U.S. jurisdictions, according to the principle of jus soli. Certain individuals born in the United States, such as children of foreign heads of state or children of foreign diplomats, do not obtain U.S. citizenship underjus soli (right of soil).
  • To back up the 14th amendment, there is actually proof of an authentic Hawaiian birth certificate with the raised seal and signature further showing that Obama is in fact a U.S citizen.

However, to back up to the beginning there have been reports that three specialists identified the birth certificate and named it fraudulent, saying it belonged to his half sister. In addition to this claim, it is also said that his paternal grandmother along with other family members witnessed the birth of Barack Obama – in Kenya.

Besides comparing with DNA testing, there can be no real proof that these people are who they claim to be.  As for his birth certificate, the only people who can obtain this document are Barack and his parents.  Since his parents are deceased, it seems it is only Barack himself who holds the truth to this family tree frenzy concerning the Obama controversy.  I believe the speculation will never end on this matter and even though Obama has obtained and presented the birth certificate to the public there will continue to be those that doubt.

In our current generation, it has become extremely difficult for single parents or even teenagers to find out who their biological mom or dad could be.  It can be extremely difficult for an individual to try to find out who their missing parent is. Emotionally and psychologically stressful are two major issues that are faced.   

With DNA testing, if you can find out who the possible mother or father would be, you could get the DNA from the maternal or paternal parents of this missing parent. This form of DNA testing is an innovative advancement of what modern technology can present to us. We all know that trying to figure out who your biological dad or mom maybe an excruciating mission that may take a long time or not lead anywhere. I recently read an article about a man who spent 16 years trying to find his biological father. In his case, his father was just a sperm supplier of the artificial insemination of the man’s mother. This made the search for his father a difficult one. In the process he also found out that he had 13 half-siblings. This was definitely a rare case but it goes to show you that DNA testing can be highly successful in not only just tracking down your parents but in also tracking down your biological siblings.

The use of DNA testing to find missing parents, whether they alive or dead can be highly beneficial in shortening an individual’s search for answers. If the individual can track down the alleged father’s or mother’s grandparents, the grandparents DNA can be used to get a sample of their DNA patterns. This DNA patterns from the alleged Grandmother and Grandfather are compared with the DNA samples from the mother or father and the child. This test can also just be conducted between the alleged grandparents and the child but can be more difficult.

It’s exceptionally important to consider finding an accredited DNA testing lab that will provide you with the results that you are looking for. DNA testing to find missing parents is becoming highly sought after now due to the increased premarital pregnancies where the fathers are unknown.

Since 1950 the median age for marriage has increased in both men and women.  From the tender age of 22 for men and 20 for women those ages have gone up to 27 for men and 25 for women.  That may be fine and dandy, but perhaps these increased ages and a plethora of other societal issues have direct links to the rise of infidelity.

Infidelity increases

Unfortunately it is human nature that makes monogamy such a difficult life-long endeavor, but come on, we all know life is not easy!  Well at least a small percentage of us do, because according to statistics reported by the Wall Street Journal, “Between 1991 and 2006, the numbers of unfaithful wives under 30 increased by 20% and husbands by a whopping 45%.” – and those statistics are on the modest side.  So what or who has assisted with the increase in infidelity?  The biggest culprit seems to be technology.  Co-workers who are already spending more time with each other in the office, opposed with their families at home, can now communicate through real-time speed, thus increasing their potential love affair.

An increase in independent women in the workplace has also contributed towards these growing statistic as well as habits that are formed with relationships prior to marriage.   If having multiple partners is an acceptable, habitual behavior, cognitive scientists have pointed out that these habits will carry on over into marital relationships.

Unfortunately, the numbers are not decreasing with time, but increasing.  It is an epidemic and one that is reportedly shy considering the 50% divorce rate in the U.S.  So what is the best cure for this epidemic? Perhaps there is no cure, but maybe prevention or detection.  If you suspect a spouse is cheating, don’t let it linger, rather attempt to save your marriage with an accurate infidelity test.  It may produce hurtful results, but find out the truth and work towards rebuilding your marriage; find out the reasons why and work on them. On the flip side, the test can relieve suspicions and help make a marriage last.

So avoid the quarrels, the sleepless nights and don’t become part of the statistic, rather take the test and find out your results with a DNA testing lab you can trust in.

Deciding on what to name a baby is not the only thing parents need to consider these days.

Through the enhanced field of science, DNA testing is providing parents with information that perhaps the expecting couple’s parents may never had been confronted with.  Through prenatal testing, amniotic fluid is collected and tested from the fetus in order to indicate whether there are any chromosomal abnormalities.  Although the testing reveals a potential horrific truth about the future of a mother’s  pregnancy, it is an informative test that has helped parents-to-be make difficult decisions that will be for the benefit of other children in the household and of course for the life of the unborn child.

Although the topic is sometimes too hot to handle, it is nonetheless an important topic to address.  Recently, in an article from the New York Times in the publication’s Motherlode section, a mother expresses her decision that her husband and her had to make when finding out that their unborn child had a high percentage of being born with Downs Syndrome.  With two other children in the household, the couple discussed or in a better illustration, according to the New York Times, “My husband and I sobbed and raged, together and separately. He stopped eating and sleeping. He expressed thoughts of suicide and of walking away from the family — emotionally, if not physically. There was nothing I or anyone could say to convince him that Down syndrome need not be a tragic diagnosis. He could only imagine a severely disabled child, one who would know nothing but suffering and pain.” Through a tough decision considering the children they already had and the life of their unborn child, the couple decided to terminate the pregnancy.  The mother also mentions in her response to the NYT that it was almost a known answer from the start. “How could I bear a child whose father didn’t want him — was afraid of him? How could I rob my older children of their dad?”

The distressed mother ends her response with the fact that she feels she made the best decision.  She recognizes that she is now part of a majority of couples that terminate pregnancies and even expresses sporadic “pangs of regret,” however she also lets her readers know that it was not an easy decision, just the best for her and her family.

Prenatal DNA Paternity TestingWhat would any one couple decide to do in a similar circumstance? Prenatal DNA paternity testing might present an additional and difficult decision for couples, but it certainly helps individual couples make a life changing choice.  Raising a child with a chromosomal abnormality like Downs Syndrome takes a certain kind of life that not every couple is capable of giving.  If a couple should decide to raise a baby with Downs Syndrome, testing will in turn, give them sufficient notice to plan for the future of the child.  Talking with parents of children with Downs Syndrome and also discussing with doctors what the best steps are in raising a child with this disability, are two important things parents can do before the baby is born, all thanks to the capabilities of DNA testing.

What DNA Testing Can Do For You?

DNA testing

DNA testing gone bad

In 1945, nearing the end of World War II, Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler presumably committed suicide after ingesting a cyanide capsule and then shooting himself through the mouth.  Later, witnesses reported that his body was cremated.  Following his death, Hitler’s remains were uncovered by Soviets, just weeks after his alleged suicide.  However, there has since 1945 existed much controversy on Hitler’s death.  Did he really commit suicide and was that truly Adolf Hitler that the Soviet troops uncovered?  History books could finally be confirmed and historians could finally die happy, if only scientists could confirm the true identity of the Hitler remains.

The frustrating part of this story is that there is in fact a way to confirm this part of history with DNA testing.  So if DNA testing is available, why have the remains not been tested?  The remains which are housed in Russia are not able to go under testing because of lack of money in the Russian government.  If only another government could get their hands on the Hitler remains, testing could be conducted and finally close the final chapter of Adolf Hitler’s life.

DNA testing as illustrated above is powerful enough to change things such as history.  It can confirm doubts and provide a truth that has long been sought after.  On a smaller level, DNA testing has brought families together and confirmed family relationships.  Nowadays, there exists a plethora of DNA tests that can reveal identities, help expose predisposed diseases, confirm ancestral origins and even assist in immigration issues concerning paternity and maternity determination.  However, it is important that with many options for testing, it is important to find an accredited DNA testing lab that will provide secure and accurate results.  It is a powerful tool and should not be taken lightly, if it has the power to change history, it certainly has power that can mishandled, so make sure if your thinking of taking a DNA test, for any reason, you need to first contact a reputable DNA testing company.