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3 - Genetic Testing – Present and Future Problems

from I - Legal Implications of Medical Advances

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 September 2014

Julia Stanek
Affiliation:
Jagiellonian University in Krakow
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Summary

The sequencing of the human genome has produced a huge quantity of genetic data. Nowadays scientists concentrate on applying this new information to clinically useful purposes and therapies. Genetic tests are considered to be one of the first applications.

A genetic test is the analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins and certain metabolites in order to detect heritable disease-related genotypes, mutations, phenotypes or karyotypes for clinical purposes. Depending on the test substance and the results that could be obtained, various testing methods are employed, namely:

  1. a) direct testing: the direct study of genes (DNA sequences) and RNA; this method is used to detect the disease caused by an identified well-known mutation; these changes can be easily found and interpreted,

  2. b) linkage testing (indirect testing): is used when the gene cannot be identified directly, but the region of chromosome is known; application of the method requires additional DNA testing of several relatives of the tested person, in order to find the presence of pathogenic changes (mutations) in the gene by identifying genetic markers of DNA that are inherited together with the tested genes,

  3. c) biochemical testing: an examination of some metabolites, such as enzymes or proteins; enzymatic analysis measures the rate of chemical reaction in the presence of a protein that facilitates the reaction (enzyme); the activity of the enzyme is quantified in order to diagnose genetic disease;

  4. […]

Type
Chapter
Information
Studies in the Philosophy of Law
Law and Biology
, pp. 45 - 52
Publisher: Jagiellonian University Press
Print publication year: 2010

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