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What are the types of genetic tests?
Genetic testing can provide information about a person's genes and chromosomes. Available types of testing include:
Newborn screening
Newborn screening is used just after birth to identify genetic disorders that can be treated early in life. Millions of babies are tested each year in the United States. All states currently test infants for phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder that causes mental retardation if left untreated) and congenital hypothyroidism (a disorder of the thyroid gland). Most states also test for other genetic disorders.
Diagnostic testing
Diagnostic testing is used to identify or rule out a specific genetic or chromosomal condition. In many cases, genetic testing is used to confirm a diagnosis when a particular condition is suspected based on physical signs and symptoms. Diagnostic testing can be performed before birth or at any time during a person's life, but is not available for all genes or all genetic conditions. The results of a diagnostic test can influence a person's choices about health care and the management of the disorder.
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. This type of testing is offered to individuals who have a family history of a genetic disorder and to people in certain ethnic groups with an increased risk of specific genetic conditions. If both parents are tested, the test can provide information about a couple's risk of having a child with a genetic condition.
Prenatal testing
Prenatal testing is used to detect changes in a fetus's genes or chromosomes before birth. This type of testing is offered during pregnancy if there is an increased risk that the baby will have a genetic or chromosomal disorder. In some cases, prenatal testing can lessen a couple's uncertainty or help them make decisions about a pregnancy. It cannot identify all possible inherited disorders and birth defects, however.
Preimplantation testing
Preimplantation testing, also called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), is a specialized technique that can reduce the risk of having a child with a particular genetic or chromosomal disorder. It is used to detect genetic changes in embryos that were created using assisted reproductive techniques such as in-vitro fertilization. In-vitro fertilization involves removing egg cells from a woman's ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm cells outside the body. To perform preimplantation testing, a small number of cells are taken from these embryos and tested for certain genetic changes. Only embryos without these changes are implanted in the uterus to initiate a pregnancy.
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. These tests can be helpful to people who have a family member with a genetic disorder, but who have no features of the disorder themselves at the time of testing. Predictive testing can identify mutations that increase a person's risk of developing disorders with a genetic basis, such as certain types of cancer. Presymptomatic testing can determine whether a person will develop a genetic disorder, such as hemochromatosis (an iron overload disorder), before any signs or symptoms appear. The results of predictive and presymptomatic testing can provide information about a person's risk of developing a specific disorder and help with making decisions about medical care.
Forensic testing
Forensic testing uses DNA sequences to identify an individual for legal purposes. Unlike the tests described above, forensic testing is not used to detect gene mutations associated with disease. This type of testing can identify crime or catastrophe victims, rule out or implicate a crime suspect, or establish biological relationships between people (for example, paternity).
For more information about the uses of genetic testing:
GeneTests provides information about the types of genetic testing (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/GeneTests/static/concepts/primer/ primerusesof.shtml).
A Brief Primer on Genetic Testing (http://www.genome.gov/10506784), which outlines the different kinds of genetic tests, is available from the National Human Genome Research Institute.
The Centre for Genetics Education offers fact sheets about types of testing used for prenatal diagnosis (http://www.genetics.edu.au/Information/Genetics-Fact-Sheets/
Prenatal-Testing-Overview-FS17), preimplantation genetic diagnosis (http://www.genetics.edu.au/lnformation/Genetics-Fact-Sheets/Preimplantation- Genetic-Diagnosis-FS18), and the medical applications of genetic testing and screening (http://www.genetics.edu.au/lnformation/Genetics-Fact-Sheets/ DNAGeneticTestingTestingforGeneticConditionsandGeneticSusceptibilityFS21).
The National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center
(http://genes-r-us.uthscsa.edu/) offers detailed information about newborn screening. Additional information about newborn screening (http://www.genetics.edu.au/ lnformation/Genetics-Fact-Sheets/NewbornScreeningforGeneticConditionsFS20), particularly in Australia, is available from the Centre for Genetics Education.
For information about forensic DNA testing, refer to the fact sheet DNA Forensics (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/forensics.shtml) from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science and the fact sheet about forensic genetic testing (http://www.genetics.edu.au/lnformation/Genetics-Fact-Sheets/ DNAGeneticTestingPaternityandForensicUseFS22) from the Centre for Genetics Education.
How is genetic testing done?
Once a person decides to proceed with genetic testing, a medical geneticist, primary care doctor, specialist, or nurse practitioner can order the test. Genetic testing is often done as part of a genetic consultation.
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 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, or proteins, depending on the suspected disorder. The laboratory reports the test results in writing to a person's doctor or genetic counselor.
Newborn screening tests are done on a small blood sample, which is taken by pricking the baby's heel. Unlike other types of genetic testing, a parent will usually only receive the result if it is positive. If the test result is positive, additional testing is needed to determine whether the baby has a genetic disorder.
Before a person has a genetic test, it is important that he or she understands the testing procedure, the benefits and limitations of the test, and the possible consequences of the test results. The process of educating a person about the test and obtaining permission is called informed consent.
For more information about genetic testing procedures:
GeneTests explains the testing process and informed consent (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/GeneTests/static/concepts/primer/ primerordertest.shtml).
Scientific Testimony, an online journal, provides an introduction to DNA testing techniques (http://www.scientific.org/tutorials/articles/riley/riley.html) written for the general public.