Genetic Testing

Genetic TestingAccording to the National Institute of Health, “genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins.”

This, of course, is putting the definition of genetic testing simply and in very general terms. What is of interest, however, to most people recently are the increasing uses that testing genes have for many patients.  The ability to test DNA can help locate certain inherited disorders in order to possibly rule out a suspected condition or to identify looming problems that have yet to fully develop or that may be passes on the one’s offspring.  In fact, there are many hundred types of genetic tests currently available and more being developed regularly.

There are several genetic testing companies that offer consumers the ability to have their dna tested with an at-home or direct-to-consumer genetic test.  Usually a company will mail the consumer a test kit and a sample of DNA is obtained, usually via a swab of saliva from the cheek.  This sample is then returned to the company where a genetic test can be performed.

More information on Genetic Counseling.

Genetic Testing

Genetic Testing Registry

Genetic Testing Registry

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently released a notice that they would creating a public database, or registry, that would help consumers, as well as researchers and health care providers, better understand genetic testing.  Since there

Genetic Testing Roundup - Gene Tests and Warfirin

Genetic Testing Roundup – Gene Tests and Warfirin

Every week we see more and more uses for genetic testing.  It's not uncommon to find new genetic testing companies entering the market, laboratories releasing results regarding their new findings and a good deal of discussion regarding the implicati

Genetic Testing Companies

Genetic Testing Companies

That are an increasing number of genetic testing companies that can provide direct-to-consumer testing of a person's genes. These at-home DNA testing services usually work in a similar manner.  You order a test online and a testing kit will be ma

Genetic Counseling

Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling is one of the more important, yet often ignored, aspects of genetic testing.  There are an increasing number of gene tests available and it is rarely easy to understand the results of such tests, not to mention what to do with

Do You Know What Your Genes Say - Video

Do You Know What Your Genes Say – Video

Why is direct-to-consumer genetic testing an issue right now?  Find out in this video:

A DNA Test for Inherited Diseases

A DNA Test for Inherited Diseases

The BBC recently featured news about a fast, low cost DNA test which can determine a person's chances of developing certain inherited diseases could soon be a reality, experts said. Read more here. According to the report: "Tiny differences i

Genetic Testing Overview

Genetic Testing Overview

Genetic Testing overview. Generally speaking, Genetic Testing is a laboratory test done on the blood or other tissue to find and identify genetic traits or disorders.  There are hundreds of tests available and, increasingly, many genetic testing

Gene discovery may lead to test for aggressive prostate cancer - Private MD

Gene discovery may lead to test for aggressive prostate cancer – Private MD

Private MD Gene discovery may lead to test for aggressive prostate cancer Private MD The slow-growing nature of some prostate cancers is the reason that genetic testing is so important. Without a test capable of distinguishing the ..

AP IMPACT: Testing curbs some genetic diseases - Washington Post

AP IMPACT: Testing curbs some genetic diseases – Washington Post

Seattle Post Intelligencer AP IMPACT: Testing curbs some genetic diseases Washington Post Genetic testing pushes hot-button issues: abortion, embryo destruction and worries about eugenics - selective breeding to rid a population o

Gene Testing

Gene Testing

Gene tests, or DNA based testing, consists of taking a sampling of your DNA material to provide an analysis of an increasingly growing number of conditions, inherited traits, genetic risk factors, paternity, ancestry, forensics and more. The ter