There are many misconceptions floating around about DNA testing. To help you understand the subject more before your own ancestry DNA test, here are some common misconceptions debunked.
1. DNA Tests Are for Men Only
While it’s true that certain DNA tests are specially designed for men only (the Y-DNA tests), there are various kinds of DNA testing available for both genders. The reason why the Y-DNA test is only available for men is that it tests the Y-chromosome, which the father passes down to his son. If a biological woman wants to get more information about her paternal side, there are ways to go about it. Look for a male brother or cousin to perform the DNA tests on your behalf.
Fortunately, there is also the mtDNA test that is available for both genders. Both men and women inherit mitochondrial DNA through their maternal ancestry.
2. Your Information Will Be Shared
One of the reasons why most people hesitate to perform DNA testing is the risk of having their information shared or, worse, stolen by hackers. Any reputable company performing DNA testing is required by law to keep your information safe and confidential. So, if you’re worried about employers, health insurance companies, or anyone else accessing your DNA testing results, don’t worry. There are laws that prohibit the use of DNA testing results when it comes to employment and insurance coverage decisions.
3. DNA Testing Requires a Blood Sample
Many people dread DNA tests because of the needles involved. Gone are the days when blood needs to be drawn to get your DNA testing result. Technology has come a long way. Today, all that’s required is a saliva swab from your cheek. This process takes about 30 – 60 seconds to complete. Once the saliva has been extracted, they send it to a lab for testing. That’s it.
4. Your Genetic Ethnicity Estimate Will Match Your Known Genealogy
You may be wondering why your ethnicity estimate is not the same as the ethnicities of the ancestors in your family tree. The truth is there are many reasons for that. If you’ve inherited an ethnicity from a long history of generations, odds are you may have inherited a small amount, which makes it difficult to detect the ethnicities of your ancestry line.
Sometimes, ethnicities are passed down from ancestors you know nothing about. In addition to that, there are biological limitations to DNA testing. For instance, some matches may be due to proximity in geographical location. In some cases, it might be a result of migration patterns that lead to mixing of what were previously isolated gene pools.
5. Getting Results Takes Longer Than Expected
There’s no denying the fact that DNA testing gives you access to cutting-edge science. However, one common misconception about this procedure is that you have to wait a long time for the results. But that’s not the case; you will get the results within a few days of sending your sample to the lab.
Take advantage of this cutting-edge science and get a clear picture of your ancestry tree.
Home-based water filtration systems can be great for your home, especially if you can’t rely on your current water supply. Municipal water sources are notoriously poorly filtered and are often cleaned with chemicals, but water purification systems can purify your water of a number of different contaminants. However, different homes will have different needs, so there are important factors to consider when choosing a system.
1. Capacity
From filtering water pitchers to under-sink filtration systems, water purification can come in many forms, and it all depends on how much purified water you need on a daily basis. If you want all incoming water to be filtered prior to coming out of your faucets, you will want to invest in an advanced system that can handle large amounts of water.
2. Filtration Rate
Similar to capacity, every treatment system will have a filtration rate, which is the amount of purified water that a system can produce each day. To determine whether or not your chosen filtration system has a sufficient filtration rate, you will want to find out roughly how much water you use each day and make sure the system can handle your needs.
3. Removal of Contamination
If you really want to make the best choice, you can have your house water tested for contaminants to find out exactly what you need to filter out. Different water purification systems will target different contaminants, while some will be as comprehensive as possible. Deciding which contaminants are of the greatest concern to you will help you choose a water treatment system that best suits your needs.
4. Installation and Operating Costs
Your budget will also determine which purification system you purchase, but if you determine precisely what you need and do your research, you can get the most for your money. Keep in mind that you may also have to change cartridges or filters, and your system will also use a certain amount of electricity, so you will want to calculate these costs and find a system that doesn’t put you over budget.
5. Maintenance Complexity
You want purified water, but you don’t want it to come with a lot of work. Some filtration systems require changing several cartridges at different intervals. Some may also require pre-treating the incoming water. Depending on the complexity of the system, maintenance can be a lot of work, but you want your filtration system to function well for as long as possible.
6. Compatibility
The most advanced systems are typically compatible with a wide variety of faucets, sinks, and plumbing equipment, but you will want to check and make sure. Sometimes there can be additional attachments required for your filtration to function at its best, especially if you have icemakers and other less common appliances. If you require any additional attachments, it will help to be aware of them early on so that you can get them ordered and have your treatment system hooked up as quickly as possible.
Many victims of medical malpractice are hesitant to consult an attorney or consider filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. They feel that their injuries may not be worth filing a lawsuit for, or that they may have difficulty proving a medical malpractice claim in court. However, a malpractice suit should be considered when medical malpractice is suspected so that legal support can be obtained, such as a dental expert witness, if needed for litigation support.
1. Thorough diagnosis takes time.
Although current injuries or consequences of medical malpractice may be considered minor, they could become worse over time. Some injuries do not even show up on tests or exhibit symptoms for months or even past the statute of limitations. Filing a lawsuit provides time to investigate the nature of the injuries and obtain medical diagnosis as well as prognosis for any future treatment or recovery. A legal claim enables a plaintiff to determine the scope and severity of injuries, as well.
2. Some symptoms may be challenging to discover.
Latent issues may develop randomly for undergo evaluation. For example, a surgery that develops complications due to a doctor’s negligence, constituting medical malpractice, may be the primary focus of potential litigation and a claim for damages. However, related problems stemming from the surgical problems may affect other parts of the body, such as chipped teeth resulting from improperly placed or inadequately monitored anesthesia equipment, such as tubes. If problems of this nature are suspected, a dental expert witness can examine the records of a diagnostic exam, including x-rays, and provide a report to confirm any dental damage resulting from the surgery.
3. Experts may be needed.
Working with a medical malpractice attorney who is knowledgeable about this area of law will help to provide a full scope of inquiry about the nature of existing or potential injuries, and calculate estimated damages that a victim may be entitled to. Further, the attorney can prepare the plaintiff for legal proceedings such as interrogatories, depositions, and courtroom testimony. Someone who has been injured due to a doctor’s mistakes may not feel mentally or physically ready to obtain medical reports and medical experts. An attorney who takes the case for exploratory purposes enables the patient to get a thorough evaluation and set of medical records for expert evaluation.
4. Hidden injuries may heal but surface later.
Not filing a claim could lead to missing important injuries that heal on their own. Had they been diagnosed earlier for litigation purposes, they might also render facts that lead to additional legal compensation.
Unless injuries are slight, it is a good idea to consult a medical malpractice lawyer for advice on whether and how to file a claim.