Talk:Genetic testing

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Some text in this article was originally taken from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/info=genetic_testing (public domain)

Contents

[edit] Error of reference

"the analysis of RNA, chromosomes (DNA), proteins, and certain metabolites in order to detect heritable disease-related genotypes, mutations, phenotypes, or karyotypes for clinical purposes " (Holtzman & Watson 1997)." is a definition taken from http://www.aapa.org/gandp/genetictest.html and in no way related to Holtzman & Watson 1997 "Predictive genetic testing: from basic research to clinical practice." change it.


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[edit] External Link

The National Office of Public Health Genomics lists valuable resources for the evaluation of genetic tests. http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/gTesting.htm Lid6 17:36, 15 September 2006 (UTC)

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byebye

[edit] A class

This was no way an A class page so I've downgraded it to B. There is only one disease listed as testable for a start(not including recent vandalism) this is ridiculous, there must be loads of diseases you can test for.Sam Hayes 22:10, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Found someSam Hayes



Countless diseases can be tested for:

- Huntington's
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Sickle Cell Anemia (or is it Anemea?)
- Down's Syndrome

---etc---

~ Super Duck

[edit] Medical Procedure

"a parent will usually only receive the result if it is positive"

Does this mean the test is positive for a disease or positive meaning good?--75.19.84.167 03:12, 8 December 2006 (UTC)


Genetic testing is "the analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins, and certain metabolites in order to detect heritable disease-related genotypes, mutations, phenotypes, or karyotypes for clinical purposes " (Holtzman & Watson 1997). It can provide information about a person's genes and chromosomes throughout life.

Types of testing 

  Newborn screening: Newborn screening is used just after birth to identify genetic disorder that can be treated early in life.
  
  Diagnostic testing: Diagnostic testing is used to diagnose or rule out a specific genetic or chromosomal condition.
  
  Carrier testing: Carrier testing is used to identify people who carry one copy of a gene mutation that, when present in two copies, causes a genetic disorder.
  
  Prenatal testing: Prenatal testing is used to detect changes in a fetus's genes or chromosomes before birth
  
  Predictive and presymptomatic testing: Predictive and presymptomatic types of testing are used to detect gene mutations associated with disorders that appear after birth, often later in life.
  
  Forensic testing: Forensic testing uses DNA sequences to identify an individual for legal purposes.
 Medical procedure   
  Genetic testing is often done as part of a genetic consultation. Once a person decides to proceed with genetic testing, specialist can order the test after obtaining informed consent.

Genetic tests are performed on a sample of blood, hair, skin, amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds a fetus during pregnancy), or other tissue. For example, a medical procedure called a buccal smear uses a small brush or cotton swab to collect a sample of cells from the inside surface of the cheek. The sample is sent to a laboratory where technicians look for specific changes in chromosomes, DNA, orThe results of genetic tests are not always straightforward, which often makes them challenging to interpret and explain. When interpreting test results, healthcare professionals consider a person’s medical history, family history, and the type of genetic test that was done.

Interpreting results

   A positive test result means that the laboratory found a change in a particular gene, chromosome, or protein of interest. Depending on the purpose of the test, this result may confirm a diagnosis, indicate that a person is a carrier of a particular genetic mutation, identify an increased risk of developing a disease (such as cancer) in the future, proteins, depending on the suspected disorder.
   A negative test result means that the laboratory did not find a dangerous copy of the gene, chromosome, or protein under consideration. This result can indicate that a person is not affected by a particular disorder, is not a carrier of a specific genetic mutation, or does not have an increased risk of developing a certain disease.

Benefits
   Genetic testing has potential benefits whether the results are positive or negative for a gene mutation. Test results can provide a sense of relief from uncertainty and help people make informed decisions about managing their health care. For example, a negative result can eliminate the need for unnecessary checkups and screening tests in some cases. A positive result can direct a person toward available prevention, monitoring, and treatment options. Some test results can also help people make decisions about having children. Newborn screening can identify genetic disorders early in life so treatment can be started as early as possible.



  In vitro fertilization(IVF) is a technique in which egg cells are fertilised by sperm outside the woman's womb, in vitro. IVF is a major treatment in infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed. The process involves hormonally controlling the ovulatory process, removing ova (eggs) from the woman's ovaries and letting sperm fertilise them in a fluid medium. The fertilised egg (zygote) is then transferred to the patient's uterus with the intent to establish a successful pregnancy.

Indicators

  Initially IVF was developed to overcome infertility due to problems of the fallopian tube, but it turned out that it was successful in many other infertility situations as well.


Human Cloning

  Although genes are recognized as influencing behavior and cognition, "genetically identical" does not mean altogether identical; identical twins, despite being natural human clones with identical DNA, are separate people, with separate experiences and not altogether overlapping personalities. The relationship between an "original" and a clone is rather like that between identical twins raised apart; they share all the same DNA, but little of the same environment.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.160.185.182 (talk) 07:38, August 25, 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Procedures

No word is said on how the laboratory actually looks for modification in the DNA... shouldn't the words PCR and FISH appear somewhere in the article ? XApple (talk) 18:41, 25 November 2007 (UTC)