Non-paternity event
Encyclopedia
Non-paternity event is a term in genetic genealogy
Genetic genealogy
Genetic genealogy is the application of genetics to traditional genealogy. Genetic genealogy involves the use of genealogical DNA testing to determine the level of genetic relationship between individuals.-History:...

 and clinical genetics to describe the case where the biological father of a child is someone other than who it is presumed to be. The presumption may be either on the part of the presumed father or by the physician. Non-paternity may result from a number of different scenarios: it may arise from sperm donation or when the mother had sexual intercourse with a man other than the presumed father. Other than the situation of egg donation, the identity of a child's mother is seldom in doubt. Non-paternity (and non-maternity) may also result from hidden adoption
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...

s: that is, when a child is never told he or she was adopted. Where there is uncertainty, then the only definitive diagnosis of non-paternity is from DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...

 testing.

The discovery of previously unsuspected or undisclosed non-paternity may have both social and medical consequences. Non-paternity that is due to a previously undisclosed extra-marital relationship will have obvious consequences for the marital relationship which it violates. Non-paternity is medically relevant when interpreting the results and utility of genetic screening for hereditary illnesses such as cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease affecting most critically the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver, and intestine...

.

In genetic genealogy the term NPE is often used in a wider context to indicate a break in the link between the Y-chromosome and the surname. Such a breakage may occur because of illegitimacy (inside or outside of marriage), the use of an alias, or a deliberate change of surname.

Testing for non-paternity

The only definitive test for paternity is DNA testing. Requirements for consent and counselling for DNA testing vary by country.

Rates of non-paternity

The rate of non-paternity is commonly quoted to be around 10%. However, a 2005 scientific review of international published studies of paternal discrepancy found a range in incidence from 0.8% to 30% (median 3.7%), suggesting that the widely quoted figure of 10% of non-paternal events is an overestimate. In situations where disputed parentage was the reason for the paternity testing, there were higher levels; an incidence of 17% to 33% (median of 26.9%). Most at risk of parental discrepancy were those born to younger parents, to unmarried couples and those of lower socio-economic status, or from certain cultural groups.

The rates value varies according to the population studied:
  • United Kingdom: 1 to 2% in a sample of 1,678 men.
  • Mexico: 9.8% to 13.8% in a sample of 396 children.
  • Switzerland: 0.3% to 1.3%.
  • United States: A study in Michigan of 1417 white and 523 black children found non-paternity rates of 1.4% and 10.1% respectively. A study of 1748 Hawaiian families with 2839 children reported a non-paternity rate of 2 to 3%.

External links

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