What Is Genetic Testing?
Genetic testing is a medical laboratory test that examines your genes.
Genes are DNA instructions that we all inherit from our parents. Different “mistakes” in our genes, called mutations, can cause different diseases. Some of these diseases are rare, like cystic fibrosis or Huntington’s disease, others are common, like cancer. Genetic tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis or give you information about possible development of a disease.
Why and when you might consider genetic testing?
- When you or your family members have symptoms with a suspicion for a genetic condition.
- When you have a family history of a disease.
- When you might have increased risk for development of a disease.
- When you might pass on the genetic disease (mutation) to your children.