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