Experts are demanding increased regulation of the standard of DNA testing methods as concerns about paternity fraud and DNA disputes rise.

Emeka Obiodunukwe, CEO of DemyHealth, a genetic diagnostic company, said testing methods are very important and can have big consequences, speaking at a briefing in Lagos.

He explained that Sanger sequencing by capillary electrophoresis (CE) provides the gold standard for paternity testing.

Despite newer technologies including next-generation sequencing, the CEO said CE ranks top with its accuracy, reliability, affordability, and long history of success.

The method is also prized for its capacity to work with small amounts of DNA.

His organisation relies on it to analyse specific DNA segments and to identify people using short tandem repeat analysis, he said.

“It looks at specific parts of DNA, which are different for each person, making them perfect for proving family relationships. CE has a long history of being over 99 percent accurate in paternity cases,” he said.

“Most good labs use 13 to 16 STR markers for over 99 percent accuracy. DemyHealth uses even more markers, 21 to 27, to be even more accurate, especially in difficult cases where close relatives might be involved.”

The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), a leading source of health information, confirms that Sanger sequencing is also used in forensic medicine to link biological evidence to individuals, identify genetic disorders, and study how drugs are processed by the body.

This reinforces its position as a trusted and effective paternity and other DNA-related analysis tool.

Read also: Medical expert calls for mandatory DNA paternity tests as part of birth registration in Nigeria

Speaking on the need for increased regulation in the standard of regulation, the CEO of DemyHealth said:

“We want to help people make informed choices,” he added. “When people trust our technology and our team, they can be confident in their results.”

Hajarat Alfa, a senior molecular biologist at DemyHealth, said that CE produces reliable and accurate sequencing data, making it ideal for DNA tests on establishing family relationships.

She explained that while CE is sufficient for paternity tests, next-generation sequencing is better suited for complex genetic cases, like identifying hereditary disorders.

She further stated that DemyHealth has become known for affordable and efficient DNA testing in Nigeria.

She assured that DemyHealth is dedicated to making high-quality DNA testing accessible to all Nigerians.

She emphasized their competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, which enable clients to resolve paternity issues quickly, providing them with peace of mind and certainty.