Pharmaceutical Drug Manufacturers

July 12, 2010-

What is Genetic Testing?

Genetic testing is the examination of DNA molecule. It is actually the genes test that is also called DNA-based test. Genetic testing is very sophisticated test that consists of two major types. In first type, the probe DNA, which is a small piece of DNA with sequence complementary to mutated sequence of gene is designed by the researchers. If the probe find their complement within base pairs of an individual's genome then the research will stick to it.

Types of Genetic Testing

Newborn Screening

It is done just after birth to detect hereditary disease so that its treatment can be done early in life.

Diagnostic Testing

In this any specific genetic or chromosomal condition is diagnosed. It can be performed any time during the life's of a person.

Carrier Testing

Carrier testing diagnosis the genes that carry one copy of disease. Disease appears when two copies of it are present.

Prenatal Testing

It is done before birth and changes in fetus genes or chromosomes are detected.

Forensic Testing

This type of genetic testing is done for legal purposes. Here no disease is detected but instead of this catastrophe victims or crime is identified.

Parental Testing

Here the relatedness to the parents in identified. As we inherit half DNA from our mother and half from our father. So the gene sequence is similar to both of these.

Pharmacogenomics

Influence of genetic change on drug outcome is detected with pharmacogenomics.

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Benefits of Genetic Testing

Through genetic testing heritable diseases that are related to karyotypes, mutations, genotypes or phenotypes are detected through the analysis of chromosomes or DNA, protein and certain other metabolites. It is in majority used for

• To diagnose a disease
• Affirm a diagnosis.
• Provide predictive information on the course of a disease
• Confirmation of disease in individual

Genetic testing is now also used for determining the sex, for prenatal diagnostic screening, newborn screening, presymptomatic experiment for foretelling the adult-onset disorders and risk of developing it.

Even rare genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia, Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis can also be diagnosed with genetic testing. But most of the diagnosis are done in developed countries. Along with this breast, ovarian and colon cancers can also be detected with this test.

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Risks and Limitations of Genetics Testing

There is almost negligible risk involved with this test as it requires just blood sample or buccal smear. But the procedure for prenatal testing can lead to miscarriage as it requires amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus. But there are associated problem like economical, social or emotional for these kinds of genetic tests.