The Benefits of Genetic Testing

Genetic testing is a voluntary type of medical test used to identify changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. This type of medical test checks for alterations in an individual's genes or changes in levels of gene products, proteins. Genetic testing could also be used to look for structure of certain proteins, and for levels of RNA that play a role in certain conditions. The purpose of the test is to indentify genetic problems or possible risk for developing genetic disease. What could genetic testing be used to identify? Molecular genetic tests (or gene tests) are designed to use single genes or short factions of DNA in order to identify changes or mutations that lead or may lead to a genetic disorder. Zooming out a little from the molecular level, a chromosomal genetic test is used to analyze whole chromosomes or long fragments of DNA, to check if there are big genetic changes, such as an extra copy of a chromosome. In case of studying gene products, the biochemical genetic test is done to study the amount of protein or activity level of a certain proteins that is known to be important in a genetic disorder.

Genetic testing may be used for many purposes. A reason for genetic testing is diagnostic testing, which is used to identify or rule out a specific genetic or chromosomal condition. This is used mainly with the purpose to confirm a diagnosis when a genetic condition is suspected based on physical signs and symptoms. Diagnostic testing can be performed at any time in the lifespan, including before birth. Similar in purpose to the diagnostic testing is the carrier testing, mainly used to identify if a person is heterozygous for a mutation. This type of testing would be best fit for individuals who have a family history o...

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