Question

What are the differences between predictive & carrier testing? What is the relevance of incidental findings that may occur as a consequence of these tests?

Answer 1

Answer.

• Carrier testing is a type of genetic testing that is done with those couples who possess history of genetic disorder in their family. It is done to check whether parents are carrier or Heterozygous for the trait? Because if the parents are carrier then there is a risk of child with autosomal recessive disorder.
• Predictive testing is also a type of genetic testing. It is used to detect gene mutations associated with disorders that appear after birth during the later part of the life. It is also known as the presymptomatic testing.

It is always good to go for the genetic tests even when anxiety overpowers you. In case of carrier testing, parents can know whether they are the carrier of the genetic disorder or not!! And accordingly they can plan for the children to raise their family.

How ever, predictive screening or the new born screening will help in diagnosing the genetic disorder at a very early stage after birth and providing the correct measures to sustain life.

However, most of the genetic disorders are irreparable because genes of every cell of the body are affected.