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    Call us LoCall:
    1890 987886

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    Cellmark
    PO Box 265
    Abingdon
    Oxfordshire
    OX14 1YX
    UK

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  • Customers

    Solicitors

    • Information for solicitors
    • Drug & Alcohol testing service
    • DNA relationship testing

    Healthcare Professionals

    • Information for GPs
    • The Ethics of DNA testing

    Local Authorities

    • Information for Social Workers
    • Drug & Alcohol testing service
    • DNA relationship testing

    People just like you

    • Information on DNA testing
    • Why choose Cellmark
  • Drug & Alcohol testing

    Drug & Alcohol testing service

    A forensic quality service from the UK's most experienced DNA paternity testing service. We now deliver the same level of scientific rigour, chain of custody management and industry leading customer service with our comprehensive family law drug & alcohol testing service.

    As you would expect we offer a clear pricing structure, a network of trained sample collectors, standard analysis turnaround times currently 5-7 working days, interpretative statements and backed by advice and support on the end of the phone.

    Our laboratory is accredited to the International Standard ISO/ IEC 17025:2005 to test for a wide and expanding range of drugs in hair.

    • Service Overview
    • Cellmark's Approach
    • Alcohol consumption testing
    • FAQs
  • DNA testing

    DNA testing

    Cellmark is the UK's most experienced DNA testing service. We have been providing a confidential, conclusive & court approved DNA testing service for almost 3 decades and have undertaken over half a million tests.

    Our DNA relationship testing is accredited by the Ministry of Justice in the UK and our test results have been acccepted by the civil courts in Ireland in cases where the Status of Children Act 1987 applies.

     

    • DNA testing
    • Your questions
  • Home

    The home of DNA testing!

    Cellmark pioneered the introduction of DNA analysis for paternity testing and our services have an enviable reputation amongst members of the public, family support organisations and the medical profession.

    DNA testing since 1987

    Back in 2012 we celebrated our silver jubilee. First established in June 1987 Cellmark has grown to become one of Europe's largest DNA testing services.

    More than DNA!

    Our forensic quality Drug and Alcohol testing service.

    This service allows our legal and local authority customers to benefit from the same levels of quality and service they have come to expect from us. We have ensured that this new service is both comprehensive and simple to understand.

    Our laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 to test for a wide and expanding range of drugs in hair.

 
Why you should choose Cellmark
  • CONSENTAll parties must consent to DNA testing
  • SELECTING A TESTERChoose a service that works for you
  • YOUR QUESTIONSFrequently asked questions
  • WHERE TO GET ADVICE Sources of free & independent advice & guidance
  • HOW WE TAKE A SAMPLEA simple guide showing how we collect a DNA sample
  • DNA TESTING FACTSSome interesting facts about DNA testing
  • TEST RESULTSUnderstanding your test report
  • WHY CELLMARKReasons to choose Cellmark

GPs originally became involved in DNA testing because blood was the prefered sample type.

 

 

GPs originally became involved in DNA testing because blood was the prefered sample type - indeed the BMA's current guidleines still refer to blood sampling rather than the more modern buccal swab sampling technique.

Their position was cemented by the introduction of the Dept. of Health which in March 2001 published it's hugely important voluntary Code of Practice and Guidance on Genetic Paternity Testing in the UK.

The voluntary Code was an important step forward and whilst it has been superceded in the UK, by the Human Genetics Commission's Common Framework and the Human Tissue Act, it set out standards for DNA testing companies to follow and a means for the general public to compare providers of DNA testing services - several of it's recommendations impacted directly on GP's:

 

1. "Those giving consent to a test should be fully informed of its purpose, accuracy and the potential consequences of the test result."

This process of consultation is something that GP's get involved in as a significant number of people look to their GP for help and advice on issues such as relationship testing - Cellmark's research shows that in the past 6 months as many as a third of GP's will have been asked about the issue. The results of a DNA test may produce unexpected results and this may result in a requirement for further counselling - potentially from the GP.

2. "Testing must not take place unless consent has been obtained in respect of all parties."

The GP can become a key individual in establishing that consent has been obtained from all parties - partly through the conselling process and partly through their involvement in confirming the identity of those to be tested. Since the introduction of the Human Tissue Act this has increased in importance.

3. "It is strongly recommended that persons involved in commissioning a paternity test appoint an independent sampler to collect and verify samples as it is the best way of ensuring the authenticity of the paternity test."

This is of critical importance to testing companies such as Cellmark. For the results of a test to be acceptable to a court it must be possible to proof that the "chain of custody" of the sample has been maintained throughout the entire process. The GP's role of independent sampler, with no interest in the case and of physically witnessing the taking of the sample and confirming the identity of the those to be tested is key to proving the chain of custody.

Sampling requirements are being relaxed in the UK but the points outlined above remain implicit in the latest UK legislation.

Cellmark seeks the views of GP's on the issue of DNA relationship testing and we find that there are a wide range of attitudes the the subject amongst the GP community:

- Aware of the emotional, ethical and legal issues and are happy to help.
- Those who believe that it is something that is available on the NHS or they admit they don’t know where to look for information.
- Those who believe it is an "emotional minefield" and do not want to get involved.
- Those who believe it is a legal issue and who may undertake testing, but only after lawyer has set it up.

Cellmark provides a range of information, downloadable from this website, which is designed to help GP's when one of their patients wishes to discuss the issue of DNA relationship testing. Alternatively you can call Cellmark on 1890 987 886 for further information and advice.

CONSENT

  • Status of Children Act
  • Consent and DNA (UK)
  • Section 45 of the HT Act
  • BMA guidance (UK)

WHERE TO GET ADVICE

  • Treoir
  • Citizens Information
  • Accord
  • NAPCP

LAW & GUIDELINES

  • Status of Children Act
  • Human Tissue Act
  • Human Genetics Commission
  • The Accredited List

YOUR TOP QUESTIONS

  • How long will it take?
  • How can clients pay?
  • How are DNA samples taken?
  • How are the results analysed?

 
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