| What is genetic testing? Genetic testing is fast gaining | | | | perform. |
| popularity to test for various diseases, illnesses as well | | | | As mentioned previously, genetic testing can also be |
| as for paternity, ancestry and a number of other things | | | | done for a number of reasons. Before birth genetic |
| but what is genetic testing? Genetic testing is the | | | | testing may be done to test for the possibility of |
| analysis of DNA from our bodies and the interpreting | | | | diseases such as Down's syndrome, this may also be |
| of the DNA code to read a number of different things | | | | done when the baby is first born as well as checking |
| depending on what is being tested. | | | | for a number of other diseases. Genetic testing may |
| In each of our cells there is a substance known as | | | | also be used to diagnose certain diseases or to test |
| DNA, each DNA strand consists of a number of | | | | whether someone is a possible carrier of a disease |
| segments containing the code for everything about us | | | | for a genetic disorder. Paternity testing or using genetic |
| - our eye color, hair color, height, other physical | | | | testing to determine whether someone is the father of |
| features as well as information relating to a number of | | | | a specific child, as well as ancestry genetic testing is |
| diseases and illnesses. | | | | also becoming more popular. Apart from personal |
| There are also certain segments on these DNA | | | | reasons genetic testing is also done for research as |
| strands that do not change much over time and is | | | | well as forensic reasons, as DNA at the scene of a |
| passed from generation to generation. It is this factor | | | | crime can help give evidence against a criminal. |
| which makes it possible for genetic testing to | | | | In conclusion, the answer to what is genetic testing is |
| determine both paternity as well as earlier ancestry. | | | | that genetic testing is the analysis of DNA in our cells |
| Genetic testing can be done either before birth or after | | | | to test for paternity, diseases, research or forensic |
| birth. If genetic testing is required before birth the | | | | reasons. Our DNA is unique to us; however it is |
| mother's doctor will either take some fluid from around | | | | passed down from our parents, some of it remaining |
| the fetus through amniocentesis or will do a CVS to | | | | relatively unchanged and so although it can tell specific |
| take material from the placenta which contains genetic | | | | things about us, it can also tell us who our parents are |
| information. After birth genetic testing can be done | | | | and something about our ancestry. Genetic testing is |
| either through blood samples or through taking a swab | | | | done either through taking a blood sample or cheek |
| of the inside of the cheek, which is generally the | | | | swab or, in the case of prenatal genetic testing, an |
| preferred method as it is painless and easier to | | | | amniocentesis or CVS is done. |