Celebrating brothers and sisters on Siblings Day

Families across the US are marking Siblings Day today (April 10), as brothers and sisters celebrate their relationships.

After losing both her brother and sister at a very early age, Claudia Evart founded the Siblings Day Foundation – a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring siblings.

Claudia created Siblings Day in 1995 to highlight the very important role brothers and sisters play in our lives and, over the past 28 years, it has grown into a nationwide day of both remembrance and celebration.

At AlphaBiolabs, we specialize in looking at the extra special genetic bonds between siblings in their shared DNA.

This Siblings Day, we’re sharing everything you need to know about sibling DNA testing.

Order a Sibling DNA Test Online

How do siblings share DNA?

How do we know that people are siblings just by looking at their DNA? As an accredited DNA laboratory, this is a question we get asked a lot.

How much DNA siblings share depends on their relationship to one another, and whether they have one or both biological parents in common.

Every person inherits half of their genetic material from each of their parents, with related people sharing more DNA than people who are not related.

When siblings have the same biological parents (mom and dad), they are full siblings – also known as first-degree relatives – and share approximately 50% of their DNA.

Half-siblings have one biological parent in common – their mom or dad – are known as second-degree relatives and share approximately 25% of their DNA.

How does a sibling DNA test work?

In most cases, people will know whether they are related to each other as siblings, based on whether they share both parents in common (full siblings) or one parent in common (half siblings).

In some circumstances though, such as where there is uncertainty over who a child’s father is (paternity), it may be necessary to perform a sibling DNA test to determine the likelihood of individuals being full or half siblings.

The test requires DNA samples to be collected from each sibling using cheek (buccal) swabs. For the most conclusive result, the laboratory will also ask that the biological mother provides a cheek swab sample if possible.

When testing for sibling DNA in the laboratory, expert geneticists will analyze and compare DNA samples of siblings to determine the genetic profile of each person and calculate a sibling DNA index or likelihood ratio.

• A likelihood of greater than 10 supports that the tested individuals are likely to be related
• A likelihood of less than 0.1 is not supportive, meaning the individuals are unlikely to be related
• A likelihood which falls between 0.1 and 10 is considered inconclusive, which means a relationship cannot be determined based on the statistical probability obtained from the analysis

Where can I buy a Sibling DNA Test?

If you’re looking for answers to your questions this Siblings Day, it’s quick and easy to order a sibling DNA test online, from AlphaBiolabs for just $179.

The cost of your test includes the test kit and all lab fees.

We use the most up-to-date laboratory processes and DNA testing technology to ensure the reliability of our genetic testing, analyzing up to 42 DNA markers (loci), for a 100 per cent accurate result, based on the samples we receive at our laboratory.

Your secure, confidential results will be emailed to you in 3 business days.

Got questions? Click here to learn more about our DNA testing or email our friendly and discreet Customer Services team at info@alphabiolabsusa.com.