Upsides and Downsides of Genetic testing

DNA testing, often known as genetic testing, is used to rule out or confirm suspected genetic disorders, as well as determine a person’s risk of getting or passing down a genetic disorder and trace their lineage. The benefits and drawbacks of DNA testing will be discussed in this list.

Benefits of genetic testing

• Disease Diagnosis

The capacity to check for risks and hereditary illnesses is a significant benefit of DNA testing. People who want to start a family can be tested to see if they have the genes that cause specific diseases that are passed down through their families.

• Illness Treatment

Knowing if you have a genetic variant could help you choose the right treatment. The appropriate DNA test for the right person could reveal information that allows a specialist to suggest an alternative treatment option.

• Identification at the crime scene

When a suspect leaves DNA evidence at a crime scene, he or she can be identified by DNA testing. Because each person’s DNA is unique, the chances of making a mistake are exceedingly slim. As a result, DNA testing outperforms other techniques of identification, such as fingerprints.

Drawbacks of genetic testing

• Increased stress level.

A positive test might create stress unnecessarily, just as information can reduce stress if it comes back negative.

• Genetic Purgatory

“Genetic purgatory” can also occur. You can have a gene that’s been diagnosed as a “variant of unknown significance,” or VUS, leading to mental distress or, even worse, needless medical procedures.

• Cost

Even though the cost of genetic sequencing has gradually decreased, the National Human Genome Research Institute expects that it will cost roughly $1,000. Health insurance coverage varies as well, depending on the test, and can include partial or whole coverage.