News tagged with genetic testing

Returning genetic incidental findings without patient consent violates basic rights, experts say

Informed consent is the backbone of patient care. Genetic testing has long required patient consent and patients have had a "right not to know" the results. However, as 21st century medicine now begins to use the tools of ...

Genetics created May 16, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 3 | with audio podcast

First prospective trial shows molecular profiling timely for tailoring therapy

A clinical trial has shown that patients, and their physicians, are eager to jump into next-era cancer care—analysis of an individual's tumor to find and target genetic mutations that drive the cancer. Results of the study, ...

Cancer created May 15, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

FDA approves genetic test for lung cancer drug

The Food and Drug Administration says it approved a genetic test from Roche to help doctors identify patients who can benefit from a lung cancer drug made by Genentech.

Medications created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

World first clinical trial supports use of Kava to treat anxiety

(Medical Xpress)—A world-first completed clinical study by an Australian team has found Kava, a medicinal South Pacific plant, significantly reduced the symptoms of people suffering anxiety.

Psychology & Psychiatry created May 13, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 1

Genetic test helps predict risk of prostate cancer recurrence

(Medical Xpress)—Prostate cancer ranks as the most common internal malignancy diagnosed in men in the United States, but often does not require extensive treatment.

Cancer created May 10, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Cases question diagnostic criteria for inherited diabetes

(HealthDay)—Two patients diagnosed with a genetic form of non-insulin-dependent diabetes developed diabetic ketoacidosis years later, even though a history of diabetic ketoacidosis is normally an exclusion ...

Diabetes created May 09, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Gene test may help guide prostate cancer treatment

A new genetic test to gauge the aggressiveness of prostate cancer may help tens of thousands of men each year decide whether they need to treat their cancer right away or can safely monitor it.

Genetics created May 08, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Geneticists find causes for severe childhood epilepsies

(Medical Xpress)—Using a state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technique, UA researchers have discovered genetic mutations underlying seizure disorders in previously undiagnosed children.

Neuroscience created May 07, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Mass DNA sampling convicts Dutchman of 1999 rape-murder

Mass DNA sampling led to the jailing Friday of a father-of-two for the shocking rape and murder of a teenaged girl in a rural part of the Netherlands 14 years ago.

Genetics created Apr 19, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Scientists discover gene mutation that causes children to be born without spleen

The spleen is rarely noticed, until it is missing. In children born without this organ, that doesn't happen until they become sick with life-threatening bacterial infections. An international team of researchers led by scientists ...

Genetics created Apr 11, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

'Unknown' neurological disorder often incorrectly diagnosed

The very serious hereditary disease HDLS was discovered in 1984 in Sweden. Many HDLS patients are still incorrectly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, MS or Parkinson's disease, but researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, ...

Neuroscience created Apr 10, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Nearly half of breast cancer patients at risk of having BRCA mutations not sent for genetic testing

Only 53 percent of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who were at high risk of carrying a BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutation – based on age, diagnosis, and family history of breast or ovarian cancer – reported that their doctors ...

Cancer created Apr 08, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

ACMG releases statement on noninvasive prenatal screening

The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has just released an important new Policy Statement on "Noninvasive Prenatal Screening for Fetal Aneuploidy." The Statement can be found in the Publications section ...

Other created Apr 08, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Final chapter to 60-year-old blood group mystery

Researchers have solved a 60-year-old mystery by identifying a gene that can cause rejection, kidney failure and even death in some blood transfusion patients. In this study, published in Nature Genetics online ...

Genetics created Apr 07, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (9) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Counting copy numbers characterises prostate cancer

Non-invasive 'liquid biopsies' can find metastatic or recurrent prostate cancer, in a low cost assay suitable for most healthcare systems, finds research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Genome Medicine. Genomi ...

Cancer created Apr 04, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Genetic testing

Genetic testing allows the genetic diagnosis of vulnerabilities to inherit diseases, and can also be used to determine a person's ancestry. Normally, every person carries two copies of every gene, one inherited from their mother, one inherited from their father. The human genome is believed to contain around 20,000 - 25,000 genes. In addition to studying chromosomes to the level of individual genes, genetic testing in a broader sense includes biochemical tests for the possible presence of genetic diseases, or mutant forms of genes associated with increased risk of developing genetic disorders. Genetic testing identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. Most of the time, testing is used to find changes that are associated with inherited disorders. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person's chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. Several hundred genetic tests are currently in use, and more are being developed.

Since genetic testing may open up ethical or psychological problems, genetic testing is often accompanied by genetic counseling.

For more information about Genetic testing, read the full article at Wikipedia.
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