Types of Genetic Tests

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted March 4, 2008 in DNA Testing

According to the LA Times, there are only five types of genetic tests:

1. Predictive testing for genetic mutations that can increase a person’s risk of disease, e.g., BRCA genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer
2. Presymptomatic testing to see if someone will develop a disease before they get any signs or symptoms, e.g., Huntington’s disease
3. Diagnostic testing to confirm a diagnosis, e.g., Fragile X Syndrome
4. Carrier testing to detect people who are disease-free but may have a genetic mutation that can be inherited by their children
5. Prenatal testing of fetuses to detect genetic abnormalities

Hello? I thought I was the one with the fried brain (thanks to the flu). Medical genetic testing isn’t all there is. There are a slew of other types of human genetic tests that are currently available:

• Genetic genealogy, ancestry, and ethnicity DNA testing
• Paternity and family relationship DNA testing
• Genome scans (SNP-based)
• Genome sequencing
• Newborn screening
• Nutrigenomic testing
• Preimplanation genetic diagnosis (PGD)
• Drug response testing (pharmacogenomics)
• Forensic DNA testing

Have I forgotten any?

RSS feed | Trackback URI

Please note that comments left using the form below will be publicly displayed. If you'd like to correspond with me privately, please email me at hsien@eyeondna.com.

If your comment doesn't show up immediately, it's probably in moderation. I will approve it as soon as I can! Thanks for your patience.

5 Comments »

Comment by David Bradley

2008-03-04 18:59:59

Isn’t the LA Times the equivalent of the UK’s Daily Mail in terms of scientific rigour?

db

Reply to this comment

Comment by Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD

2008-03-04 19:06:04

Not that I’m aware of. However, I’ve never read Daily Mail so I wouldn’t be able to compare….

Reply to this comment

 

 

Comment by Kristina

2008-03-04 21:47:15

You’re sick too? Most be something “catching” — thanks as always for a post that sets the record straight!

Reply to this comment

 

Comment by BP

2008-03-07 01:03:44

I was under the impression that most newborn screening tests are not ‘genetic tests’, but were based on detecting various proteins using mass spec

Reply to this comment

Comment by Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD

2008-03-07 12:19:06

BP, You make a good point which is true for most common newborn screening tests. However, because newborn screening results act as a proxy for genetic status, they are often known as genetic tests.

Reply to this comment