International Biosciences Launches DNA Testing for Surrogacy

Johannesburg, South Africa – 16 January 2014 – Leading international genetics and DNA testing company introduces surrogacy DNA testing. This new service is part of the company’s ongoing growth strategy, the objectives of which are service diversification and development of the existing portfolio of tests.

The launch of surrogacy DNA testing is in line with meeting client needs and requirements as the market for DNA testing evolves. International Biosciences has in fact, introduced the service following several requests by clients who sought surrogacy treatment and want to ascertain whether the correct sperm was used for fertilization or whether the right embryo was implanted. In light of this, a company representative states that “surrogacy, or any type of assisted reproductive technology, is a complex issue and clients face intense emotional turmoil due to the fact that with surrogacy and IVF, the odds are often stacked against them. Couples have often already dealt with the heartache of not being able to have children of their own and surrogacy is one alternative they have, besides adoption. For different reasons, couples seek our surrogacy DNA testing service to help them ascertain whether the sperm used was actually from the intended father or that there was no mix up during embryo transfer”. International Biosciences explains how the cases of IVF mix-ups widely featured in the press, often discovered due to the surrogacy mother giving birth to a child of a different colour to that of the commissioning parents, have fueled concern amongst parents who have sought surrogacy and IVF treatment. The press has highlighted instances of carelessness with identification labels, system errors and sheer negligence or incompetence. “Our clients want absolute peace of mind and the level of reassurance they can get only with a DNA test. We have had cases where the client underwent IVF, gave birth to non identical twins and discovered that one child was from the intended father but the other child was from another, unknown donor”.

International Biosciences sells most if surrogacy tests as peace of mind, at home tests which help clients eliminate any doubts they have about the parentage of the child born through surrogacy. In some cases, clients have sought legal surrogacy testing in order to prosecute the laboratories, doctors or embryologists involved in the mix-up.

Surrogacy DNA testing can help couples who have had a child through surrogacy find conclusive evidence of the biological relationship between themselves and their child. Surrogacy DNA testing is often used for cases of immigration to provide proof of relationship to the immigration authorities of a country. Commercial surrogacy is illegal in many countries, including Italy, Australia and many US states but is legal in other countries such as Canada and India. Due to the fact it is most likely illegal in their country, clients often get surrogacy carried out overseas and later bring the child back to their country of origin or residence. The Sales and Marketing representative for International Biosciences notes that “the child born through surrogacy will usually be entitled to citizenship by virtue of descent from one or both of his or her parents. This claim can only be made if the commissioning parent/parents are actually biologically related to the child. In other words, the sperm from the commissioning father/s and/or the ovum from the commissioning mother/s must have been used”.

International Biosciences has also noted interest in DNA testing for surrogacy amongst gay and lesbian couples. Gay couples sometimes request embryos to be implanted into the surrogate mother that have used the sperm of both partners. Which embryos develop is left to chance and when the child (or children in the case of non identical twins) is born, they request a DNA test to know which of them has fathered the child/children. In some instances, one twin is the biological child of one man and the other twin is the biological child of the other.

On a concluding note, International Biosciences points out that “whilst we are happy to help these parents find closure or get the legal documentation they need by means of DNA testing, International Biosciences does not offer support or counseling. For couples seeking surrogacy treatment, we suggest seeking the advice of a lawyer who specializes in this field or a psychologist with experience in surrogacy.”

Notes for Editors:
About International Biosciences
International Biosciences offer a wide range of DNA testing services, including paternity, siblingship and other relationship tests as well as DNA tests for immigration purposes, child custody cases and even DNA ancestry research. IBDNA also provide a comprehensive website, www.ibdna.co.za, detailing every aspect of the DNA testing process, showing everything from the differences between home DNA testing and legal DNA tests, to consent issues and understanding the final results report.

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