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More From Molly and the Father/Daughter DNA Match E-Book
Molly gave advice through her post to the biological fathers who were discovered by DNA testing and shocked to learn there was a child ‘out there’ they never knew about.
Study invites those with a parental DNA discovery
Research into the experiences of people receiving unexpected results from DNA testing continues.
A new study based at Long Island University aims to explore parental identity experiences in greater depth, from a small number of adults who have taken a DNA test and received an unexpected discovery related to their own parentage.
Study aims to explore the experiences of those with surprise discovery about a parent
Research into the experiences of people getting unexpected results from a home DNA test is still in infancy. A new study based at McGill University aims to explore the experiences of consumer DNA testers who receive an unexpected result with implications to their own parentage.
Giving Unexpected DNA News with Compassion
Conveying unexpected news is never easy, and it's natural to feel uncertain going into it. The world of DNA testing and surprise DNA discoveries has made ‘breaking the news’ a new part of life for many people.
Why Your Doctor Should Care About Your Surprise DNA Family Discovery
Watershed DNA’s founder Brianne Kirkpatrick shares on the blog of 23andMe some tips for healthcare providers about what to do with a patient’s unexpected DNA family discovery.
Finding Support for Unexpected DNA Discoveries - On the Grey Genetics Podcast
If you’re a podcast listener, you might enjoy the latest interview of Watershed DNA founder Brianne as she chats with the host of Patient Stories, Eleanor Griffith, about resources. Episode 63 is a follow up to a conversation that first took place on Patient Stories two years ago.
Supporting the Biological Fathers (And Their Families) Who Learn About a New Bio Child
Many “reunions” between biological relatives that have taken place after a DNA test discovery have led to disappointment on one, many, or all sides. Contact is refused. Contact goes great and then one party begins ghosting the other. Communications end, on a sour note or unexpectedly. Why is this?
“I Couldn’t Shake the Feeling That Maybe I Had a Different Biological Father”
Therese reached out to share her story about discovering she had a different biological father than she was told, and in her story is both struggle and growth.
The Mindful NPE Chats With Grey Genetics About Her DNA Surprise
Imagine sitting in a restaurant waiting for your dinner date to arrive and finding out from your iPhone that half of your family is not what you expected. Then heading to the bathroom to call Ancestry and ask, "Could this be wrong?"
Reflections on the Impact of a Discovered Adult Child on a Marriage
Laura’s story gives us insight into the impact that a sudden discovery of an adult biological child has on a marriage.
A New Podcast, the Bradley Hall Show
The most common FIRST question I am asked as a genetic counselor and DNA coach working with those in NPE situations. That first question is most commonly, “Could the DNA test be wrong?”
Donors of Eggs, Sperm, and Embryos: How to Get Ready for Contact From a Biological Child
You donated sperm, eggs, or embryos in the past and have begun to hear the news stories that home DNA tests have done away with the promise of anonymity you were once guaranteed. Here are a few tips for you that I’ve compiled, after working with families and individuals involved in surprise discoveries from DNA testing.
Draft Language for Reaching Out to a DNA Match
I've gotten some questions about how to approach an unexpected DNA match and try to open up the lines for communication. I've posted some draft language here for you to get a sense of what I've written or advised other people to write in the past.
Could the DNA test be wrong
The purpose of this quick guide is to answer the single most common question I hear from people who have recently received a DNA test result that does not match expectations.
“If My Dad’s Not My Biological Father, Then Who Is?”
More people every day are discovering unexpected news about their parentage as a result of consumer DNA tests. As a licensed and certified genetic counselor specializing in ancestry testing, I have more and more people reach out to me wondering could it be true my dad’s not my dad? If so, then who IS?
Birth Fathers Share What It Is Like to Find Out They Have an Adult Child They Never Knew About
Do you call them biological fathers? Birth dads? Found fathers, discovered dads, sires, or “men who fathered a child they were not aware of”?
When the DNA Test Results are Wrong
Sometimes 23andMe reports an inaccurate DNA relationship between two testers. A half sibling is not always a half sibling. It could be a cousin, for example.
“Dear Brianne...I Reached Out to My Unexpected Half-Sister but Now I’m Worried. Did I Jump the Gun?”
I recently received a message from someone who made an unexpected discovery of a new family member after doing DNA testing.
Severance Magazine, the Beagle Has Landed Podcast, and Other Resources on the Topic of DNA Family Surprises
Severance Magazine is a resource for the growing group of individuals who learn they have been separated by biological relatives.
High ROH - A Topic Covered in a Chapter of “The DNA Guide for Adoptees”
ROH is very tricky topic but one we need to get comfortable talking about. It can happen to anyone of any age from any background.