Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T08:23:02.856Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

10 - On the Horizon

Genetic Testing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Get access

Summary

Scientific developments in the field of genetics are being referred to as a “revolution.” One demonstration of that revolution is the recent dramatic growth in the number and availability of genetic tests. Today, more than 1,500 clinically applicable genetic tests are available. Many experts tout our developing genetic testing capability as the dawning of a new age in medicine's ability to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness, whereas others fear its abuse. This chapter discusses basic concepts in genetics, addresses more focused questions relating to genetic testing, and makes recommendations about whether genetic testing is right for you and, if so, how to proceed.

The Basics

Genetic testing has both benefits and limitations, and the decision whether to be tested is personal and complex. It is important to start with an understanding of the basics.

  • Cells are basic building blocks of all living things. The human body is composed of trillions of cells, which provide structure for the body, take in nutrients and convert these to energy, carry out specialized functions, and contain the body's hereditary materials.

  • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) residing within the nucleus of each cell constructs the blueprint for making proteins that build cells, tissues, and enzymes that trigger biochemical reactions in cells. The structure of DNA is a two-stranded, spiraled double-helix. Every cell in your body (except for mature red blood cells, which have no nucleus) contains the same DNA.

  • RNA, or ribonucleic acid, receives instructions from DNA and carries them to the ribosome, the site of protein synthesis in the cell.

  • […]

Type
Chapter
Information
Surviving Health Care
A Manual for Patients and Their Families
, pp. 136 - 145
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×