Can DNA Testing Be Wrong?

Many people have been victims of wrongful convictions due to faulty DNA results. There have been instances where ambiguous data gets used to make wrong biological conclusions about patient maladies. Improper DNA testing has grave and protracted repercussions and the subject ought to be addressed. So can DNA testing be wrong?

The question is not whether DNA testing can be wrong because it has occasionally returned a report that appeared to be inaccurate. DNA is never fictitious. Instead, there are cases of misunderstandings happening. DNA can get mishandled and sometimes computers malfunction. Programming errors transpire, leading people to make a flawed hypothesis. We get forced to deduce from such flows that testing could be wrong. Such factors and many other considerations summarize serious challenges that DNA testing presents where qualitative assurance is concerned.

Reasons DNA Testing Can Be Wrong

Sometimes DNA sample gets mismanaged, are incorrectly labeled, or probably manipulated. As a result, when you get a DNA match to your child, there is never the assurance that you are the biological parent. While this rarely occurs, there are instances when it does happen. Intentional fraud is a reason why DNA testing can be wrong but is not the only cause. 

Paternity and maternity tests are less likely to return a false positive or to remain ambiguous. Where contemporary DNA testing procedures are concerned, there are very minimal possibilities of getting errors or getting imprecise outcomes. If DNA samples get submitted from unsuitable sources, their accuracy might be compromised. The best approach is to ensure that both parents present DNA samples from a relevant source.

The Accuracy of DNA Tests

There are routine and exceptional explanations as to why DNA results are sometimes baffling or unfathomable. When it seems like errors happened, casting aspirations on this field of science never helps. That is why when results are indeed erroneous, it is essential to comprehend how mistakes took place. The best option when DNA results are baffling or unfathomable is to get another test done. You also can seek the advice of a professional that can analyze DNA findings, such as a genetic counselor or geneticist.

Regardless of the reasons you need ⁠DNA tests; it is extremely improbable for the outcome of tests to be fallacious. Nonetheless, you must identify and find ways of tackling the results presented to you. It might also be imprudent to regard ⁠DNA tests that seem to be errors as evidence of inconstancy.

It’s evident that DNA testing can have existential problems. In many cases, improper analysis, inconsistent reports, human errors, or even manipulation can make the science of DNA testing appear wrong. The element of undependability never occurs due to the application of science. It happens because of wrongful application. DNA testing is never inaccurate. When the right procedure gest followed, the tests are always accurate.

Would you like to learn more about DNA tests? Read our other articles in the ⁠Education Center. 

• ⁠What Is a DNA Test
• ⁠How Does DNA Testing Work
• ⁠What Does a DNA Report Look Like
• ⁠How Accurate Are DNA Tests