Genetic Screening
Biology: Cambridge International A Level, topic 19.2.3
Genetic Screening
DNA probes in electrophoresis and microarrays can be used to screen an individual for a number of genetic diseases.
Information
- Genetic screening can be used to identify -
- If an individual is a carrier of a genetic disease. Examples include cyctic fibrosis, Huntingdon's disease, haemophilia, and sickle cell anaemia.
- If an individual is at greater risk of developing a disease.
- How likely an individual is to respond to a particular drug.
Genetic counselling
- The information gained from genetic screening can be used in genetic counselling.
- Genetic counselling is used to advise patients about genetic screening.
- The advice considers -
- If screening is advisable.
- What the results of screening mean.
- How to prevent or treat a condition identified through screening.
E.g. BRCA1
- BRCA1 is a mutation that increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer.
- The mutation is more likely to be present in a woman who has a family history of breast cancer.
- Genetic counselling will help a woman decide whether to take a genetic screen. If the BRCA1 mutation is identified, genetic counselling can also help advise what she can do to prevent breast cancer.
Personalised medicine
- The information gained from genetic screening can also be used in personalised medicine.
- The genes in an individual influence how likely an individual is to respond to a particular drug.
- Genetic screening can help doctors prescribe the most effective drugs for their patient.
Test yourself on Genetic Screening
Which of these is NOT advice considered in genetic counselling?
Which of the following statements about medical screening are true?