Genetic Screening & Modern Healthcare
Overview of genetic screening in healthcare
Types of Genetic Screening
Genetic screening does not imply a single test but rather a number of methods whose concentration is on a particular objective:
- Newborn Screening- Completed shortly after birth and is used to identify rare congenital but treatable illness such as PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, or sickle cell disease.
- Carrier Screening Someone is being treated for a disease like cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs disease because of a gene. Good as a birth control measure.
- Prenatal Screening: It is conducted in fetus to identify either genetic or chromosomal abnormality during pregnancy. Frequently preceded by such preventive tests as amniocentesis.
- Predictive and Presymptomatic testing- These are used on healthy persons to test whether one is at risk of developing diseases like Huntington or cancers that relate to BRCA.
| Table – Overview of Types: | |||
| Type | Purpose | Timing | Example Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
Newborn |
Early detection & treatment | Birth to first weeks | PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell disease |
| Carrier | Reproductive planning | Before or early in pregnancy | Cystic fibrosis, Tay–Sach |
| Prenatal | Screen for fetal genetic disorders | During pregnancy | Trisomy 21, trisomy 18 |
| Predictive | Risk for future disease | Adolescence/adulthood | Huntington’s, BRCA cancers |
Quick View:
- Get to know genetic screening types: newborn screens, and predictive risk screens.
- Discover technologies that will aide you in testing, quicken it and yet keep your program alive at the same time.
- Be aware of the advantages and ethical issues in the field of healthcare.