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<span>Genetic Testing</span>
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Genetic Testing
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<h3>Basics</h3>
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<div id="topic-summary" class="syndicate"><h3>What is genetic testing?</h3>
<p>Genetic testing is a type of medical test that looks for changes in your DNA. DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. It contains the genetic instructions in all living things. Genetic tests analyze your cells or tissue to look for any changes in:</p><ul>
<li><strong>Genes</strong>, which are parts of DNA that carry the information needed to make a protein</li>
<li><strong>Chromosomes</strong>, which are thread-like structures in your cells. They contain DNA and proteins.</li>
<li><strong>Proteins</strong>, which do most of the work in your cells. Testing can look for changes in the amount and activity level of proteins. If it finds changes, it might be due to changes in your DNA.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why is genetic testing done?</h3>
<p>Genetic testing may be done for many different reasons, including to:</p><ul>
<li>Find <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/geneticdisorders.html">genetic diseases</a> in unborn babies. This is one type of <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/prenataltesting.html">prenatal testing</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/newbornscreening.html">Screen newborn babies</a> for certain treatable conditions</li>
<li>Lower the risk of genetic diseases in embryos that were created using <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/assistedreproductivetechnology.html">assisted reproductive technology</a></li>
<li>Find out if you carry a gene for a certain disease that could be passed on to your children. This is called carrier testing.</li>
<li>See whether you are at increased risk of developing a specific disease. This may be done for a disease that runs in your family.</li>
<li>Diagnose certain diseases</li>
<li>Identify genetic changes that may be causing or contributing to a disease that you were already diagnosed with</li>
<li>Figure out how severe a disease is</li>
<li>Help guide your doctor in deciding the best medicine and dosage for you. This is called <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/pharmacogenetic-tests/">pharmacogenomic testing</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How is genetic testing done?</h3>
<p>Genetic tests are often done on a blood or cheek swab sample. But they may also be done on samples of hair, saliva, skin, amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds a fetus during pregnancy), or other tissue. The sample is sent to a laboratory. There, a lab technician will use one of several different techniques to look for genetic changes.</p>
<h3>What are the benefits of genetic testing?</h3>
<p>The benefits of genetic testing include:</p><ul>
<li>Helping doctors make recommendations for treatment or monitoring</li>
<li>Giving you more information for making decisions about your health and your family's health:
<ul>
<li>If you find out that you are at risk for a certain disease, you might take steps to lower that risk. For example, you may find out that you should be screened for a disease earlier and more often. Or you might decide to make <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthyliving.html">healthy lifestyle changes</a>.</li>
<li>If you find out that you are not at risk for a certain disease, then you can skip unnecessary checkups or screenings</li>
<li>A test could give you information that helps you make decisions about having children</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Identifying genetic disorders early in life so treatment can be started as soon as possible</li>
</ul>
<h3>What are the drawbacks of genetic testing?</h3>
<p>The physical risks of the different types of genetic testing are small. But there can be emotional, social, or financial drawbacks:</p><ul>
<li>Depending on the results, you may feel angry, depressed, anxious, or guilty. This can be especially true if you are diagnosed with a disease that does not have effective treatments.</li>
<li>You may be worried about genetic discrimination in employment or insurance</li>
<li>Genetic testing may give you limited information about a genetic disease. For example, it cannot tell you whether you will have symptoms, how severe a disease might be, or whether a disease will get worse over time.</li>
<li>Some genetic tests are expensive, and health insurance might only cover part of the cost. Or they may not cover it at all.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How do I decide whether to be tested?</h3>
<p>The decision about whether to have genetic testing is complex. In addition to discussing the test with your health care provider, you can meet with a <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/geneticcounseling.html">genetic counselor</a>. Genetic counselors have specialized degrees and experience in genetics and counseling. They can help you understand the tests and weigh the risks and benefits. If you do get a test, they can explain the results and make sure that you have the support that you need.</p></div>
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<a href="https://www.genome.gov/FAQ/Genetic-Testing" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="72321" data-org="NHGRI">Frequently Asked Questions about Genetic Testing</a>
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<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Human Genome Research Institute)</span>
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<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.genome.gov/es/FAQ/Preguntas-frecuentes-sobre-las-pruebas-geneticas" data-sid="120233">Spanish</a> </span>
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<a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/genetics.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="4161" >Genetic Testing (For Parents)</a>
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<span class="orgs"> (American Academy of Family Physicians)</span>
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<a href="https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/policy-issues/Regulation-of-Genetic-Tests" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="93813" data-org="NHGRI">Regulation of Genetic Tests</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Human Genome Research Institute)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.genome.gov/es/about-genomics/policy-issues/Regulation-of-Genetic-Tests" data-sid="120234">Spanish</a> </span>
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</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing/validtest" data-sid="109791" data-org="NLM">How can consumers be sure a genetic test is valid and useful?: MedlinePlus Genetics</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/genetica/entender/pruebas/pruebasvalidas/" data-sid="156248">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing/procedure" data-sid="109790" data-org="NLM">How is genetic testing done?: MedlinePlus Genetics</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/genetica/entender/pruebas/procedimiento/" data-sid="156249">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing/riskslimitations" data-sid="109793" data-org="NLM">What are the risks and limitations of genetic testing?: MedlinePlus Genetics</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/genetica/entender/pruebas/riesgoslimitaciones/" data-sid="156250">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing/interpretingresults" data-sid="109792" data-org="NLM">What do the results of genetic tests mean?: MedlinePlus Genetics</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/genetica/entender/pruebas/significadoresultados/" data-sid="156251">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/pediatric-specialists/Pages/What-is-a-Pediatric-Geneticist.aspx" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="39209" >What Is a Pediatric Geneticist?</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<span class="orgs"> (American Academy of Pediatrics)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.healthychildren.org/spanish/family-life/health-management/pediatric-specialists/paginas/what-is-a-pediatric-geneticist.aspx" data-sid="112205">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/dtcgenetictesting/directtoconsumer" data-sid="66956" data-org="NLM">What is direct-to-consumer genetic testing?: MedlinePlus Genetics</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/genetica/entender/pruebasdirectasalconsumidor/queson/" data-sid="156252">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<a name="cat_42"></a>
<section id="cat_42_section">
<div class="section">
<div class="section-header">
<div class="section-title">
<h2>Specifics
</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-button">
<button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit">
<span class="icon icon-section-action"></span>
</button>
</div>
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
</div>
<div id="section42" class="section-body">
<ul class="bulletlist">
<li>
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer-hereditary/about/lynch-syndrome.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="88682" >About Lynch Syndrome</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span>
</span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="31586" data-org="NCI">BRCA Gene Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/cancer/causas-prevencion/genetica/hoja-informativa-brca" data-sid="118504">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/brca-test/" data-sid="132226" data-org="NLM">BRCA Test</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-de-brca/" data-sid="132327">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/carrier-screening" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="106216" >Carrier Screening</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<span class="orgs"> (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)</span>
</span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/genetic-testing-fact-sheet" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="109158" data-org="NCI">Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Susceptibility Syndromes</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span>
</span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.002252" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="110242" >Genetic Testing for Inherited Heart Disease</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<span class="orgs"> (American Heart Association)</span>
</span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/karyotype-genetic-test/" data-sid="133197" data-org="NLM">Karyotype Genetic Test</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-de-cariotipo/" data-sid="133250">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/mthfr-mutation-test/" data-sid="133242" data-org="NLM">MTHFR Mutation Test</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-de-mutaciones-de-mthfr/" data-sid="133265">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/pharmacogenetic-tests/" data-sid="132516" data-org="NLM">Pharmacogenetic Tests</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/pruebas-farmacogeneticas/" data-sid="132527">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/pten-genetic-test/" data-sid="133199" data-org="NLM">PTEN Genetic Test</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-genetica-del-pten/" data-sid="133252">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/tp53-genetic-test/" data-sid="133198" data-org="NLM">TP53 Genetic Test</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-genetica-tp-53-proteina-tumoral-53/" data-sid="133251">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing/uses" data-sid="109789" data-org="NLM">What are the types of genetic tests?: MedlinePlus Genetics</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/genetica/entender/pruebas/usos/" data-sid="156268">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/dtcgenetictesting/ancestrytesting" data-sid="107066" data-org="NLM">What is genetic ancestry testing?: MedlinePlus Genetics</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/genetica/entender/pruebasdirectasalconsumidor/pruebasdeascendencia/" data-sid="156247">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<a name="cat_94"></a>
<section id="cat_94_section">
<div class="section">
<div class="section-header">
<div class="section-title">
<h2>Videos and Tutorials
</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-button">
<button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit">
<span class="icon icon-section-action"></span>
</button>
</div>
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
</div>
<div id="section94" class="section-body">
<ul class="bulletlist">
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmhE3eHdFRI" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="132912" >Genetic Testing</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="20" height="16" alt="Video" title="Video" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/videocamera.gif" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (College of American Pathologists)</span>
</span>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<a name="cat_79"></a>
<section id="cat_79_section">
<div class="section">
<div class="section-header">
<div class="section-title">
<h2>Statistics and Research
</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-button">
<button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit">
<span class="icon icon-section-action"></span>
</button>
</div>
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
</div>
<div id="section79" class="section-body">
<ul class="bulletlist">
<li>
<a href="https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Genetic-Mapping-Fact-Sheet" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="35501" data-org="NHGRI">Genetic Mapping</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Human Genome Research Institute)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.genome.gov/es/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Hoja-de-datos-del-mapeo-gen%C3%A9tico" data-sid="120235">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<a name="cat_27"></a>
<section id="cat_27_section">
<div class="section">
<div class="section-header">
<div class="section-title">
<h2>Clinical Trials
</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-button">
<button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit">
<span class="icon icon-section-action"></span>
</button>
</div>
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
</div>
<div id="section27" class="section-body">
<ul class="bulletlist">
<li>
<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?intr=%22genetic+testing%22&amp;aggFilters=status:not%20rec" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="28548" data-org="NIH">ClinicalTrials.gov: Genetic Testing</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health)</span>
</span>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<a name="cat_59"></a>
<section id="cat_59_section">
<div class="section">
<div class="section-header">
<div class="section-title">
<h2>Journal Articles
<span class="subheading">References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)</span>
</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-button">
<button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit">
<span class="icon icon-section-action"></span>
</button>
</div>
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
</div>
<div id="section59" class="section-body">
<ul class="bulletlist">
<li>
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39349619" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="8119" >Article: BRCA-DIRECT digital pathway for diagnostic germline genetic testing within a UK...</a>
<span class="desc-text">
</span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39237276" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="8119" >Article: Protocol for Health Risk Information Technology-Assisted Genetic Evaluation (HeRITAGE): a randomised...</a>
<span class="desc-text">
</span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39173603" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="8119" >Article: Streamlined Genetic Education and Cascade Testing in Men from Hereditary Breast...</a>
<span class="desc-text">
</span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Genetic+Testing%22%5Bmajr%3Anoexp%5D+AND+humans%5Bmh%5D+AND+english%5Bla%5D+AND+%22last+1+Year%22+%5Bedat%5D+AND+%28patient+education+handout%5Bpt%5D+OR+guideline%5Bpt%5D+OR+clinical+trial%5Bpt%5D%29++NOT+%28letter%5Bpt%5D+OR+case+reports%5Bpt%5D+OR+editorial%5Bpt%5D+OR+comment%5Bpt%5D%29+AND+free+full+text%5Bsb%5D+" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="8119" >Genetic Testing -- see more articles</a>
<span class="desc-text">
</span>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<a name="cat_82"></a>
<section id="cat_82_section">
<div class="section">
<div class="section-header">
<div class="section-title">
<h2>Reference Desk
</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-button">
<button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit">
<span class="icon icon-section-action"></span>
</button>
</div>
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
</div>
<div id="section82" class="section-body">
<ul class="bulletlist">
<li>
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5191/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="49907" data-org="NCBI">GeneReviews Glossary</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Center for Biotechnology Information)</span>
</span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="25600" data-org="NCBI">Genetic Testing Registry</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Center for Biotechnology Information)</span>
</span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="77753" data-org="NHGRI">Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
<span class="orgs"> (National Human Genome Research Institute)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.genome.gov/es/genetics-glossary" data-sid="39176">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<a name="cat_83"></a>
<section id="cat_83_section">
<div class="section">
<div class="section-header">
<div class="section-title">
<h2>Find an Expert
</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-button">
<button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit">
<span class="icon icon-section-action"></span>
</button>
</div>
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
</div>
<div id="section83" class="section-body">
<ul class="bulletlist">
<li>
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="1226" >Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>
<span class="desc-text">
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cdc.gov/spanish/" data-sid="33974">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="45472" data-org="NIH">Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
</span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.genome.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="7959" data-org="NHGRI">National Human Genome Research Institute</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc">
</span>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<a name="cat_69"></a>
<section id="cat_69_section">
<div class="section">
<div class="section-header">
<div class="section-title">
<h2>Patient Handouts
</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-button">
<button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit">
<span class="icon icon-section-action"></span>
</button>
</div>
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
</div>
<div id="section69" class="section-body">
<ul class="bulletlist">
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000690.htm" data-sid="115761" >BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene testing</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000690.htm" data-sid="115812">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000842.htm" data-sid="119680" >Genetic testing and your cancer risk</a>
<span class="desc-text">
<span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span>
</span>
<span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000842.htm" data-sid="119705">Spanish</a> </span>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div class="side">
<aside>
<section id="ht-img-section">
<div class="side-section">
<div class="section-header hide-offscreen">
<h2>Topic Image</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-body no-header">
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/GeneticTesting.jpg" title="Genetic Testing" alt="Genetic Testing" />
</div>
</div>
</section>
<section id="encyclopedia-box">
<div class="side-section">
<div class="section-header red">
<h2>MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA</h2>
</div>
<div id="more_encyclopedia" class="section-body">
<ul>
<li><a data-sid="115761" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000690.htm">BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene testing</a></li>
<li><a data-sid="83296" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003414.htm">Buccal smear</a></li>
<li><a data-sid="119680" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000842.htm">Genetic testing and your cancer risk</a></li>
<li><a data-sid="83452" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003935.htm">Karyotyping</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<section id="related-topics">
<div class="side-section">
<div class="section-header">
<h2>Related Health Topics</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-body">
<ul id="related">
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/birthdefects.html">Birth Defects</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/geneticcounseling.html">Genetic Counseling</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/geneticdisorders.html">Genetic Disorders</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/newbornscreening.html">Newborn Screening</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/prenataltesting.html">Prenatal Testing</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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"mainContentOfPage": "What is genetic testing?\u000AGenetic testing is a type of medical test that looks for changes in your DNA. DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. It contains the genetic instructions in all living things. Genetic tests analyze your cells or tissue to look for any changes in: \u000AGenes, which are parts of DNA that carry the information needed to make a protein\u000AChromosomes, which are thread\u002Dlike structures in your cells. They contain DNA and proteins.\u000AProteins, which do most of the work in your cells. Testing can look for changes in the amount and activity level of proteins. If it finds changes, it might be due to changes in your DNA.\u000A\u000A\u000AWhy is genetic testing done?\u000AGenetic testing may be done for many different reasons, including to:\u000AFind genetic diseases in unborn babies. This is one type of prenatal testing.\u000AScreen newborn babies for certain treatable conditions\u000ALower the risk of genetic diseases in embryos that were created using assisted reproductive technology\u000AFind out if you carry a gene for a certain disease that could be passed on to your children. This is called carrier testing.\u000ASee whether you are at increased risk of developing a specific disease. This may be done for a disease that runs in your family.\u000ADiagnose certain diseases\u000AIdentify genetic changes that may be causing or contributing to a disease that you were already diagnosed with\u000AFigure out how severe a disease is\u000AHelp guide your doctor in deciding the best medicine and dosage for you. This is called pharmacogenomic testing.\u000A\u000A\u000AHow is genetic testing done?\u000AGenetic tests are often done on a blood or cheek swab sample. But they may also be done on samples of hair, saliva, skin, amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds a fetus during pregnancy), or other tissue. The sample is sent to a laboratory. There, a lab technician will use one of several different techniques to look for genetic changes.\u000A\u000A\u000AWhat are the benefits of genetic testing?\u000AThe benefits of genetic testing include:\u000AHelping doctors make recommendations for treatment or monitoring\u000AGiving you more information for making decisions about your health and your family\u0027s health:\u000A\u0009\u0009\u000A\u0009\u0009\u0009If you find out that you are at risk for a certain disease, you might take steps to lower that risk. For example, you may find out that you should be screened for a disease earlier and more often. Or you might decide to make healthy lifestyle changes.\u000A\u0009\u0009\u0009If you find out that you are not at risk for a certain disease, then you can skip unnecessary checkups or screenings\u000A\u0009\u0009\u0009A test could give you information that helps you make decisions about having children\u000A\u0009\u0009\u000A\u000AIdentifying genetic disorders early in life so treatment can be started as soon as possible\u000A\u000A\u000AWhat are the drawbacks of genetic testing?\u000AThe physical risks of the different types of genetic testing are small. But there can be emotional, social, or financial drawbacks:\u000ADepending on the results, you may feel angry, depressed, anxious, or guilty. This can be especially true if you are diagnosed with a disease that does not have effective treatments.\u000AYou may be worried about genetic discrimination in employment or insurance\u000AGenetic testing may give you limited information about a genetic disease. For example, it cannot tell you whether you will have symptoms, how severe a disease might be, or whether a disease will get worse over time. \u000ASome genetic tests are expensive, and health insurance might only cover part of the cost. Or they may not cover it at all.\u000A\u000A\u000AHow do I decide whether to be tested?\u000AThe decision about whether to have genetic testing is complex. In addition to discussing the test with your health care provider, you can meet with a genetic counselor. Genetic counselors have specialized degrees and experience in genetics and counseling. They can help you understand the tests and weigh the risks and benefits. If you do get a test, they can explain the results and make sure that you have the support that you need.",
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