3. We can draw blood from you, Paul, and Frank to perform a paternity test. 12 years ago I had a brief relationship with another man. It’s time to settle this once and for all. Paul almost died from that heart attack and I don’t know what the future will hold for us. But I’m tired of being haunted by my past. I want to know if Paul is Frank’s father. Without telling Paul, can someone draw an extra tube of blood while he is still recovering? He doesn’t need to know about this…right? I’m sorry we can’t do that. Drawing blood without consent might results in prosecution for assault or a civil lawsuit for invasion of privacy. We can test Frank’s lipid levels though. If Frank carries the FH gene, there is an excellent chance that Paul is his father. The gene occurs in 1 400 individuals. But if Frank does not carry the FH gene we cannot form a conclusion either way. Stacy shares another secret

4. Frank is tested and his elevated cholesterol levels suggest that he carries the FH gene. The genetics center concludes that Paul is 500 times more likely to be Frank’s father than is someone else. Stacy shares another secret Yes. We will do whatever is needed. Since Frank has the FH gene, we need to place him on a low cholesterol, low fat diet and discuss a plan to manage this health. So Paul is 500 times more likely to be Frank’s father, but there is still so doubt. I think I need to tell Paul about this situation.

6. Electrophoresis: sizes DNA fragments

7. 8000bp 7000bp 6000bp 5000bp 4000bp 3000bp 2000bp 1000bp Electrophoresis: sizes DNA fragments

8. 8000bp 7000bp 6000bp 5000bp 4000bp 3000bp 2000bp 1000bp Electrophoresis: sizes DNA fragments

9. 8000bp 7000bp 6000bp 5000bp 4000bp 3000bp 2000bp 1000bp Electrophoresis: sizes DNA fragments

10. 4000bp 3000bp 2000bp 1000bp I’ve suspected all along that I might not be Frank’s father. But I still love him. If you really need to know the test results, let’s do it. But there’s no reason that Frank needs to know what is going on. We can discuss that with him when he gets older. The Test An examination of a section of the gels containing DNA fragments from Stacy, Paul and Frank demonstrates that Stacy has a band at 2904bp and 3092bp. Frank has bands at 29004bp…and 2229bp.

11. 4000bp 3000bp 2000bp 1000bp Clearly, Frank had to inherit the 2904 base pair (bp) from Stacy. He must have inherited the band at 2229bp from his biological father. Paul’s DNA analysis reveals bands at 3719bp and 1273bp. Since Paul did not contribute Frank’s 2229bp band, this means he is not the father. Stacy is relieved, but disappointed. She had hoped the DNA results would have confirmed results of the lipid test. The Test From mom From dad

12. Match to Stacy’s DNA No match to either parent

13. Conclusion If Paul isn’t Frank’s father, then where did Frank get the FH gene from? Frank’s biological father must also carry the FH gene. It was a 1 in 500 chance, but it happened. You ought to think about contacting this guy. He needs to know that he is at risk for early heart problems. Ok. I will call a friend who is still in contact with him.

14. Conclusion That’s going to be harder than you think. I heard he died about 6 months ago of a heart attack. Just dropped dead. Who ever heard of a guy having a heart attack at such a young age. Stacy…Stacy… are you ok? Friend Can you help me get a message to Tony?