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Genetic Testing Topics..

 
You are here : home > Genetic Testing > Understanding Genetic Testing > What is Genetic Testing

What is Genetic Testing

What is Genetic Testing

Genetic testing has gained much importance in recent years as it helps in treating person with inherited disorders. In genetic testing study of the gene and chromosome is done to find out any change in their pattern. This test is very useful in determining inherited diseases. This test is done with blood or skin tissue sample. Read on to know more about this tasting.

Any change in pattern related to chromosome, gene or protein can be identified through a medical test which is known as genetic testing. Doctors usually prescribe a genetic test when they are treating a patient with inherited disorders, and the test enables them to locate and identify the changes. In simple words, a genetic testing reveals whether the said individual has inherited a tendency to develop certain disease.

This stands them in a good stead to take measures in order to effectively protect them selves. Genetic testing is conducted by obtaining a sample of blood or skin tissue from the body of the person. There is another aspect to genetic testing and it is related to gene mutations.

Genetic tests can prove to be a great help in confirming or ruling out a certain genetic condition. It also brings forth the chances or possibility of the person developing the suspected genetic condition or passing on the disorder to his or her offspring. Medical technology is advancing in leaps and bounds and there is a wide array of genetic tests that are currently followed by doctors. And with the ongoing research, there are a lot more that are on the anvil.

Understanding Genetic Testing

Genetic testing is just a suggestion and not an imposition of treatment style.

Who should Undergo Genetic Testing?

Since this is rather a new development, there is a belief that genetic testing is forcefully conducted on patients for either research purposes or for the benefit of doctors. This is not true. Genetic testing can be suggested and it is the voluntary decision of the patient or his family members on whether they wish to carry it out or not. It is important to note that there are limits and benefits to genetic testing, from the purview of the patient. It is advisable to take this personal decision after much thought as the aftermath can be pretty complex one.

What is Genetic Counseling?

Genetic counseling is necessary with reference to the possible results or outcome of the testing which can well reveal certain unpleasant truths that has the potential to affect relationships and change the course of the life-plans. It is also thereby advisable that before going for genetic testing, one should seek the help and opinion of a genetic counselor.

Only a counselor is equipped to provide you with all the relative information regarding the advantages and disadvantages of the test. This is of much serious importance as there are countless social and emotional ramifications of the genetic testing. One needs to be completely aware of the outcome and the associated possibilities that it will bring along with it.

Results of Genetic Testing

The results of genetic testing can either be positive or negative. The connotations are explained in brief below.

Positive Result –

This entails that the individual has the mutations that he was tested for. A positive result means that the likelihood of the person developing a certain disease is high. But at the same time it is important to understand that this does not mean that the individual will definitely contract the disease.

Negative Result –

This simply entails that the suspect that the certain mutation is present in the genes is not true. This also means that the said disease does not run in the family tree of the individual. Therefore, the chances of your developing the disease are lower when compared to other people. But at the same time, it is important to understand that the individual is not at all exposed to the risk of contracting the disease. It is only that the chances are less.


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