DNA Screening

What is DNA screening

The study of genes within a human in order to identify genetic differences or susceptibility to a particular disease or any abnormalities in the body.

Also it help to identify those who are at high risk of developing or passing a specific genetic disorder.

Only individuals with a particular genotype in a defined population undergo gene screening.

How is it done!

Variety of different simple diagnostic tests performed in a laboratory.

Process of analyzing a sample of skin, hair, blood, amniotic fluid or other tissues.

After samples obtained, they are sent to the laboratory where technicians look for specific changes in chromosomes, DNA, or proteins, depending on the disorder.

Lab Reports of the procedure are then sent to that person’s doctor.

Purpose of DNA screening

To confirm that an individual is diagnosed with a disorder so we can help to prevent it.

To advise the family members of the diagnosed patient to get tested for the same disorder, so the disorder wont be passed on.

If one person In a couple carries a disease, the other person would be advised to get tested so the disease wont be carried to the children.

 To discover undiagnosed sufferers or those with genetic markers for the disease and help them overcome their illness.

Different types of screenings

5 different types- carrier, prenatal and newborn screening, presymptomatic and forensic/identity testing

Carrier- before a couple have a baby, they might want to get tested, just in case they carry a gene for a certain disorder that has the potential to affect their children

Parental- for parents that have a high risk of carrying a gene of a disorder that might be passed on to their child.

Newborn screening- identifies the biochemical of a new born baby that may lead to many different disorders such as mental retardation. Effective way to prevent disorders but its a very expensive procedure.

Presymptomatic- used for predicting adult onset disorders

Forensic- used in criminal cases such as murder and rape to identify the suspects using any evidences left.

Who can benefit from DNA screening

Individual that has a specific condition in their family and they are concerned that it will be pass on to them

Couples that are blood related (cousins) A couple with a baby that has a mental retardation

disorder. A women who’s had an unsuccessful infancy or that had

more than two miscarriages. Any women that has a baby at a old age. People that want information about disorders that occur in

their ethnic group. Pregnant women that doesn’t want to be exposed to

chemicals.

Advantages

If the outcome is good, it can give you a tremendous sense of relief and takes away anxiety.

Gives you the opportunity to visit genetic counseling so that the risk of inheriting a diseases will decrease.

Doing tests and screenings can get you prepared for the future and seek for medical help to prevent the illness.

Also the forensic part of genetic screening can help solve crimes by finding the suspect using dna screening.

Disadvantages

Can cause stress and anxiety f the outcome aren't good.

If a person turns out to have a disorder or a disease, that individual will loose opportunities for education and employment, loss of health, and needs a lot of care in order to stay alive.

Also having a type of medical condition, it increase the risk for your family to carry on that medical condition.

DNA screening in Canada

Canada has some of the best and newest technology when it comes to DNA screenings and testing.

Many locations to get screened like Toronto, Bowmansville….etc.

Doctors available that specialize in Paternity, Genealogy, Infidelity, Immigration, and Forensic testing…etc.

Genetrack is the largest DNA testing facility in Canada and has provided Canadians with the highest standards in laboratory testing.

Bibliography

Genetic Screening. (n.d.). Genetic Screening. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~mcclean/plsc431/students98/berg.htm

How is genetic testing done?. (n.d.). - Genetics Home Reference. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/procedure

Human Genetic Screening. (n.d.). Human Genetic Screening. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~mcclean/plsc431/students99/karthikeyan.htm

Identigene Paternity Testing – Discrete, Accurate At Home Paternity DNA Tests. (n.d.). DNA Testing. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://www.dnatesting.com/blog/dnatesting/tag/disadvantages/

Services. (n.d.). DNA Testing. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://dnatestingcanada.com/medica-services/

What are the types of genetic tests?. (n.d.). - Genetics Home Reference. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/uses