Your own kit sample

Prepare now your DNA kit on your own

You can choose this option in every DNA testing order form by selecting Order A DNA Test in the selection menu above.

It is not possible to choose this option for Prenatal Paternity Testing.

 

Our laboratory offer you to prepare your own testing kit upon collection and return of DNA samples to our DNA testing laboratory. By choosing this option you do not need to pay for shipping a DNA kit to you, as well as you save some time as you can send the DNA sample immediately without waiting for the testing kit to arrrive.

 

If you decide to choose this option please select on the order form for the particular test you have chosen the “Make My Own Kit” option. This order form can be found in the information page for that particular test, e.g., paternity test order forms are uploaded on the paternity page, sibling order forms are uploaded on the sibling page, etc.

 

Once you have completed your order (during regular working hours) you will receive an email containing a submission letter with your unique Bio-Gene DNA case number and the address to mail your samples to. The processing of the samples is conducted as promptly as if you used one of the kits prepared by us – it only takes two working days to complete paternity tests!

 

Non-standard DNA samples submitted must fit into a standard envelope. If necessary, please trim the item to fit (for example at hand band, a piece of clothing with blood, etc) into an ordinary envelope and make sure that the specific area for the testing is included.

 

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES USE A PLASTIC BAG OR BAGGIE FOR STORAGE OF THE DNA SAMPLE. THEREBY THE SAMPLE MAY DEGRADE OR A PROFILE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE GENERATED. LABORATORY FEES WILL STILL BE APPLIED AS ALL EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO EXTRACT THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF DNA NECESSARY FOR THE TESTING.

 

In case you reside outside of the United States and wish to order DNA testing we strongly advise you to use this option as the most cost effective and timesaving method to get the answers you need.

Please remember that it is not possible to process any DNA samples without a DNA case number. Samples received without a case number will be discarded.

  

STAGE 1

Use an envelope for each testing party and clearly write down the following details on it: Bio-Gene DNA case number (this will be allocated to you at the time you order the testing), full name, date of birth, race, and potential relationship: for example, an alleged father, child, half sibling, grandparent, etc. Only list a potential relationship noted on the request. For example: if you ordered a sibling test do not put “sibling or cousin”, if you ordered a paternity test do not write “alleged father or uncle”. The laboratory needs to perform specific tests for the relationship ordered and additional possible relationships will impede the samples to be tested and recollected.

 

STAGE 2

Cut one end off of clean cotton swabs. Rub the cotton end of the swab inside your cheek, as well as against the gums and behind your lips. This process takes fifteen seconds for each person. Do not forget that you should collect loose cheek cells and not just saliva, so rub right against the inside of the cheek. Do this with 2 swabs on each side of the inner cheek for a total of 4 swabs per each testing party.

 

STAGE 3

The swabs shall dry completely. It takes up to one hour to make sure the moisture will not soak through the envelope. Put the swab somewhere clean and ensure that the end of the swab is not touching anything else (for example, a standing upright in a glass with cotton-end in the air). When the swabs are dry, place them into the paper envelope. Put the swabs ONLY in a PAPER envelope.

 

STAGE 4

Place the swabs in a paper envelope, write down your case number, the name of the person whose sample was taken, and the particular type of the test (paternity, sibling, grandparent test, etc) inside a bigger envelope and send to Bio-Gene DNA for testing.

 

Do not forget to affix enough postage for shipping. We strongly advise you to use a courier such as UPS or USPS registered mail to know when the samples will arrive to Bio-Gene DNA laboratory. Upon receipt of all samples, they will be inspected to verify that all information is accurate and then forwarded directly to the laboratory for final processing.

 

Frequently asked questions about the Prepare Your Own Kit option

 

Is this kit as reliable as the test kits I can order?

Yes. It is not important, whether you use regular cotton swabs (Q-tip style) or buccal swabs for the DNA sample collection. Cotton swabs are generally 100% cotton topped, while buccal swabs are of a blended material, however both collect DNA properly when our instructions are followed.

 

How do I know if I take DNA samples correctly?

First of all you should relax. We are sure you will do it correctly. We have prepared a short video in Stage 2 to show you how to do the DNA sample collection.

 

How do I ship samples that are not swabs?

Put these samples in a paper envelope and close it after you have written the requested information on the front of the envelope. Under no circumstances put a DNA sample in a plastic wrap as bacteria can form and corrupt the integrity of the sample.

 

Do I need to provide the person’s real name?

Verification of a person’s identity is not required for private testing. You can choose any name or initials and write them on the envelope, the test results will also be provided under this name or initials.