'Corrie' Plot Highlights Weakness in DNA Paternity Tests

MANCHESTER, England, November 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

The recent storyline in ITV's soap "Coronation Street" has highlighted the potential weaknesses in DNA paternity tests where the possible biological fathers are related. David Platt has become the proud father of baby Lily, but has discovered that his wife Kylie and brother Nick Tilsley had a one night stand. He is devastated by the discovery and wants to prove once and for all that he is the biological father of Lily.

David sends his DNA test off to a laboratory and the test is returned identifying him as Lily's father. However, because David and Nick are brothers, they will have a very similar DNA and David should have informed the laboratory that his brother could also be the child's father.

Away from the world of soap, laboratories are well aware of these problems involving close relatives and to reveal the biological father they would insist on taking samples of DNA from both David and Nick and perform an extended study of the genetic markers or DNA fingerprints.

David Thomas is the Managing Director of UKAS accredited laboratory Alphabiolabs, who provide the DNA tests to the Jeremy Kyle show, he says "When brothers both claim to have fathered a child, it is imperative that both are tested. As close relatives they will share many identical strands of DNA, which will be the same in the child. It is only by testing both men or performing additional testing can the biological father be identified."

About Alpha Biolabs: Established in Liverpool in 2004, Alpha Biolabs (http://www.alphabiolabs.com) is one of the largest laboratories of its kind in Europe and was the first UKAS ISO17025 accredited laboratory to bring the next day 24 loci DNA paternity test as standard and develop the innovative techniques required for testing a comprehensive list of illicit substances of abuse in one step.  Alphas Biolabs core business is laboratory based analysis of DNA and Hair Samples that provides an accurate historical record of alcohol or drugs abuse / abstinence over a one to six month period.  In the UK Alphas clients include: Family and Immigration Law specialists, Social Services, Media (Jeremy Kyle Show) Universities and Members of the Public.  For more information please contact Alpha Biolabs on 0845-5050-001 or by emailing info@alphabiolabs.com