Examine development delays in children: Genetic testing can enable a couple to determine and understand development delays in their child. A geneticist or genetic counselor can help families decide if a particular genetic test will be helpful. Can a DNA test prove Paternity or Maternity. Disease prediction: Genetic testing is carried out to identify any genetic disorder and possible diseases you can be affected with. Diseases like cancer can be somewhat predicted and precautions can be taken in such cases. 8. DNA testing can be an effective planning tool, but it can also be a Pandora’s Box. 5. It allows them to understand themselves better and explore the roots of their family trees. The Promising Yet Unsettling Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering, Embryonic Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons, These Pros and Cons of Cloning are Both Fascinating and Scary. Regular check ups and visits to the doctors can help determine the stages or onset of the suspected disease with the help of genetic testing which is always a better option. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. Exploring the Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing: 3 Positive Things about Testing Your DNA and 3 Negative Things to Understand Before You Test. This is true for at-home DNA test kits you can do on your own and professional testing that offers a more in-depth look into your genetics. Newborns with genetic disorders can receive early treatment to correct the genes. Let us have a look at the various reasons why genetic testing is carried out. Inherited disease and what genetic testing can uncover, Cheap DNA Tests under $60 [2020 updated guide]. 6. First, let’s look at the benefits of genetic testing. A DNA testing is ordered to solve any disputes. Genetic testing is used for biochemical tests for various gene products like the enzymes, proteins, etc. This helps to identify the appropriate treatment to combat the disease. It’s possible to get results from an at-home DNA test kit in just a few weeks. Direct-to-consumer genetic testing provides only partial information about your health. If you are the type that will be distracted from living a full and happy life after learning about your health risks, it’s better to forego genetic testing. You simply purchase the kit, swab your cheek, ship the swab off to the testing facility, and await your results. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It can also give insight into a child’s health risks that otherwise would have no idea what they are dealing with. The fact that genetic testing is not available for all the kinds of genes in the body is one of its biggest drawbacks. The tests help to understand how genetics affects your body, health, and how the genes result in certain diseases or conditions. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Educate family members about potential risks: Once a medical condition is diagnosed in the family, others should be educated to about the potential risks and make the right decisions. Genetic testing, otherwise known as gene testing or the DNA testing, is amongst the latest techniques used to detect genetic disorders, if any, in the DNA molecules of our body. In-depth knowledge about […] Even more, some even incorporate ancestry into their service, with the potential to find distant relatives. Not a full body review: Genetic testing is not a full examination but a review on specific areas. Determine parenthood: Genetic testing determines the parenthood of a child in cases of child custody and support. A few examples of the cons of genetic testing: Learning that you have a higher risk than others for a health problem is stressful. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The most popular and widely used purpose of using genetic testing is to detect newborn babies with any possibility of genetic disorders. For some people, this stress overwhelms them and it’s all they can think about. Of course, this isn’t to say that everyone should undergo genetic testing. A test could help doctors learn if you or your family have certain patterns of disease. They are treated differently at home and in the workplace. Learn how your comment data is processed. Read our 2020 review of the best DNA tests. Hope this article helped throw light on the concept of genetic testing. Whether or not you take a genetic test is a personal decision. Cons of genetic testing. Physical risks: Some tests may be destructive and cause more problems rather than help solve problems. To understand the pros and cons of genetic engineering, read…. It is conducted during pregnancy to check the embryo and detect any kind of defects in the genes.It also gives the couple a chance to decide whether to continue with the pregnancy or go for an abortion in case there is some serious complications in the fetus. Informed medical and lifestyle decisions: The results returned may be positive or negative and this helps you to make an informed decision on how to manage your health as well as your lifestyle. A sense of relief: Knowing your own health condition bring a sense of relief from any uncertainty that you may suffer from certain diseases and be well informed. Genetic tests also play a major role in identifying criminals and plays a key role in forensics. For example, a test to identify if you may develop cancer. Read our 2020 review of the best DNA tests. For example, prenatal testing can result in miscarriage or affect the growth of the fetus. Expensive: Genetic costs are very expensive. Exploring your genetics might be worth the risk to you, but it’s still important to understand you are exposing very personal information. https://virginiacancer.com/treatments-services/services/genetic-testing/advantages-disadvantages-of-genetic-testing/, https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/pros-and-cons-of-genetic-testing-what-to-know-before-you-go, https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/dtcgenetictesting/dtcrisksbenefits, http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2018/using-genetics-fight-cancer-pros-cons-direct-consumer-testing/, https://www.bioexplorer.net/pros-and-cons-genetic-testing.html/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3348188/, https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/cancer-care/3-important-laws-protect-genetic-counseling-patients-from-discrimination. 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