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Genetic Testing

What is genetic testing?

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:

  • Genes, which are parts of DNA that carry the information needed to make a protein
  • Chromosomes, which are thread-like structures in your cells. They contain DNA and proteins.
  • Proteins, 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.

Why is genetic testing done?

Genetic testing may be done for many different reasons, including to:

(Read more)

Results 1 - 10 of 2,557 for genetic testing
  1. Genetic Testing (National Library of Medicine)  
    What is genetic testing? Genetic testing is a type of medical test that looks for changes in your DNA. DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. It ... due to changes in your DNA. Why is genetic testing done? Genetic testing may be done for many ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/genetictesting.html - Health Topics
  2. How does genetic testing in a research setting differ from clinical genetic testing?: MedlinePlus Genetics 
    The main differences between clinical genetic testing and research testing are the purpose of the test and who receives the results. The goals of research testing include finding ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/.../understanding/testing/researchtesting - Genetics
  3. What is direct-to-consumer genetic testing?: MedlinePlus Genetics 
    Most of the time, genetic testing is done through healthcare providers such as physicians, nurse practitioners, or genetic counselors. Healthcare providers determine which test is needed, ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/.../dtcgenetictesting/directtoconsumer - Genetics
  4. Genetic Testing: MedlinePlus Genetics 
    What is genetic testing? What are the different types of genetic tests? What are the uses of genetic testing? How is genetic testing done? What is informed ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing - Genetics
  5. Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: MedlinePlus Genetics 
    What is direct-to-consumer genetic testing? What kinds of direct-to-consumer genetic tests are available? What is genetic ancestry testing? What are the benefits and risks ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/dtcgenetictesting - Genetics
  6. What are the risks and limitations of genetic testing?: MedlinePlus Genetics 
    ... the fetus. Many of the risks associated with genetic testing involve the emotional, social, or financial consequences of ... or guilty about their results. In some cases, genetic testing creates tension within a family because the results ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/.../understanding/testing/riskslimitations - Genetics
  7. What are the uses of genetic testing?: MedlinePlus Genetics 
    Genetic testing can provide information about a person's genetic background. The uses of genetic testing include: Newborn screening Newborn screening is used just ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing/uses - Genetics
  8. What is genetic testing?: MedlinePlus Genetics 
    Genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in genes, chromosomes, or proteins. The results ... currently in use, and others are being developed. Genetic testing involves looking for changes in: Genes : Gene tests ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/.../understanding/testing/genetictesting - Genetics
  9. Will health insurance cover the costs of genetic testing?: MedlinePlus Genetics 
    ... health insurance plans will cover the costs of genetic testing when it is recommended by a person's ... for the test or pursue direct-to-consumer genetic testing , if available. People considering genetic testing may want ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/.../understanding/testing/insurancecoverage - Genetics
  10. What are the benefits of genetic testing?: MedlinePlus Genetics 
    Genetic testing has potential benefits whether the results are positive or negative for a gene mutation. Test results ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing/benefits - Genetics
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