Genetics tests in Details

Genetic testing is usually done to screen for or confirm that you have genes that increase the risk for a certain disease. It can be done on newborns, children, or adults. Some parents choose to be tested before or during pregnancy to see whether they are carriers of a certain disease, such as hemophilia.Your genes are like an instruction book: They hold the blueprint for all your inherited traits, from the color of your eyes, to how tall you will grow.Your genes can also tell you whether you're at risk of inheriting a disease, such as breast cancer, cystic fibrosis or Huntington disease. They may also help your healthcare provider figure out the best medicines to treat your condition.A genetic test can find out whether you have damaged, missing, or overactive genes that can cause certain diseases. This test checks your blood or other fluids to look at the pattern (sequence) of the DNA that makes up your genes.

These are different types of genetic tests: