Genetic Testing

With genetic testing growing in popularity among consumers, the need for a cohesive database has become more necessary than ever. The genetic testing registry is just such a database. Serving as a repository for innumerable genetic test results from all over the world, this database allows for greater convenience among researchers looking for answers to a number of genetic mysteries.

Genetic Testing

Genetic Testing and Your Health

For years scientists have pondered the role one’s genetic makeup plays in the development of certain health conditions. With various breakthroughs being made, as well as public figures going forward with their own personal stories of using genetic studies to make important health decisions, many consumers are looking to genetic testing as a means of managing their own healthcare. While genetic testing can serve a number of purposes, its use in developing treatments and cures for disease is perhaps one of the most important.

Using Results to Advance Medicine

Because of the preponderance of genetic testing information, a comprehensive database used for storing results can be of a huge benefit to doctors and other medical professionals. These results can then be studied for patterns that may offer insight into a variety of medical conditions, including things like cancer, prenatal conditions, as well as hereditary afflictions passed down through generations. The results can also be used to study the health of populations in certain geographical regions, which can be useful when determining what role one’s environment may play in overall health.

Predictive Testing for Cancer

Approximately one in three people will be afflicted by cancer in their lifetimes. A cancer diagnosis can have a devastating impact on not only the patient, but the patient’s entire family as well. There is a strong link between certain cancers and genetics, but many of those who develop the disease do so without any familial link. While environmental factors may play a role, many in the medical community are looking for genetic indications of future disease.

Because of this, researchers are determined to find the link between cancer and one’s genetic makeup. By doing so, medical professionals hope to find some sort of marker in those afflicted by cancer that can then be used to identify the disease in other patients. Not only can this help in treating cancer, it may also be useful in determining a cure in the future.

Catching cancers early is a huge part of making a full recovery. By identifying a possible indication on the genetic level, before the cancer develops, patients will be able to respond accordingly, either through lifestyle changes or medical intervention.

Prenatal Testing

Prenatal testing can be crucial to making informed decisions about one’s pregnancy. In the past, invasive methods, such as amniocentesis, were the only ways to detect prenatal conditions. These methods often posed a risk to both the mother and the unborn child, and for that reason they were only used in extreme circumstances.

Thanks to advances in genetic testing, chromosomal abnormalities can be detected through simple tests, which can then indicate whether further testing is required. These tests can pick up on a myriad of conditions, from things like down syndrome to missing sex chromosomes. From there, expectant mothers and their doctors can determine the best possible course of action. While these decisions may be heartrending to make, the ability to know about the health of one’s unborn child is something most mothers would choose over relative ignorance.

Carrier Testing for Hereditary Disorders

Some diseases are spread chiefly through DNA. Many of these ailments can be devastating, literally affecting entire families for generations. Carrier testing can indicate whether a person is carrying the recessive gene that contributes to the development of an insidious disease.

In the case of family planning, these tests are crucial to the peace of mind of both parents, especially when there is a family history present. By testing the genetic makeup of each partner, a diagnosis can be made before a child is born, therefore possibly sidestepping the years of heartbreak associated with some familial diseases. Oftentimes testing cannot afford a definitive answer, but it can provide couples with a statistical analysis of how likely they are to pass along a condition to their children.

Information is Power

Genetic testing offers the medical community valuable information on a number of life threatening conditions. By employing a comprehensive database of past results, medical professionals and researchers can scour the information looking for clues for specific conditions. By allowing this access on a global level, there is no telling the advancements that may loom on the horizon. From treatments for certain illnesses to outright cures, genetic testing is truly the future of medicine.

Presented by GTL