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