Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education
Scientific literature and patient education texts
Frequently Asked Questions About Genetic Testing
source: National Human Genome Research Institute
year: 2017
summary/abstract:What is genetic testing?
Genetic testing uses laboratory methods to look at your genes, which are the DNA instructions you inherit from your mother and your father. Genetic tests may be used to identify increased risks of health problems, to choose treatments, or to assess responses to treatments.
What can I learn from testing?
There are many different types of genetic tests. Genetic tests can help to:
– Diagnose disease
– Identify gene changes that are responsible for an already diagnosed disease
– Determine the severity of a disease
– Guide doctors in deciding on the best medicine or treatment to use for certain individuals
– Identify gene changes that may increase the risk to develop a disease
– Identify gene changes that could be passed on to children
– Screen newborn babies for certain treatable conditions
Genetic test results can be hard to understand, however specialists like geneticists and genetic counselors can help explain what results might mean to you and your family. Because genetic testing tells you information about your DNA, which is shared with other family members, sometimes a genetic test result may have implications for blood relatives of the person who had testing.
Related Content
-
Sickle cell adult and pediatric provider interview – Dr Nirmish Shahhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fFmmPrd...
-
Foods to Help with Sickle Cellhttps://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/ori...
-
Sickle Cell and Travel With Dr. Coretta Jenerette – EMBRACE Traveling With Sickle Cellhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz2nHyMZ...
-
Let Your Light Shine: Sickle SocialPiedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell...
-
Steven Hardy, PhDSteven Hardy, Ph.D. is the Director of P...
-
The first two years of life in sickle cell anemia infants: A results of a comprehensive longitudinal studyInfancy is a critical time during which ...
-
Patrick T. McGann, MD, MSPatrick T. McGann, MD, is the Director o...
To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.