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Editing lead and adding background information about genomes and genetic information
DNA testing refers to analyzing parts or the totally of the human genome to get insights into ancestry, carrier status for heritable diseases<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_genetics</ref>, predicting disease risks and other human traits. Since the 2000s a number of commercial ''Direct-To-Consumer'' genetic testing companies have started, offering different products to getting insights <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_genetics</ref>. There are a variety of types of genetic tests, including ''single gene testing'' (in which only a single gene is analyzed), ''panel testing'' (in which tests analyze a set number of different genetic variants) and ''genomic testing'' which can be done either to analyze all coding regions of the genome (exome sequencing) or the whole genome (whole genome sequencing) <ref>https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/gtesting/genetic_testing.htm</ref>.
'''DNA testing''', also known as '''genetic testing''', analyzes an individual's genome to identify variations in DNA sequence and chromosome structure. Personal genetic information can be used to provide insights into ancestry, carrier status for heritable diseases<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_genetics</ref>, prediction of disease risk, and other human traits<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_genetics</ref>. Due to the high costs of whole genome sequencing, various technologies (e.g. microarray testing) are commonly used to more efficiently target analysis of specific regions or variations <ref>https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/gtesting/genetic_testing.htm</ref>. While genetic testing is used and regulated in a clinical context, ''Direct-To-Consumer'' (DTC) companies also offer products focused on providing ancestry and health insights.
== Genomes and genetic information ==
An individual's "genome" is the genetic material within the cells of their body. All cells in the body contain a copy of this genome, which are nearly identical copies of an original genome inherited from their biological parents. This genome consists of DNA molecules consisting of long sequences of "bases": adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). The identity and sequence of these bases is the genetic information of an organism, and a human genome contains roughly 3 billion bases distributed in 23 chromosome pairs.
Genetic information in an individual genome is nearly identical to another individual of the same species: any two humans are 99.9% identical. The individual base positions that differ between individuals, as well as larger architectural differences, are the "genetic variants" that characterize an individual's personal genetic information.
Biologically, the genome primarily functions through the creation of proteins synthesized from "genes" (specific regions of genetic sequence). Genetic variants with biological effects (e.g. on traits or disease) commonly occur due to their effect on protein-coding. The subset of all protein-coding regions, known as the "exome", represents just 2% of the genome. Most genetic variations occur outside these regions and have little or no functional consequence, representing random changes that have accumulated over generations.
== Genetic testing providers ==
== Genetic testing providers ==
"Direct-to-consumer" (DTC) genetic testing providers have offered genetic testing directly to consumers since the early 2000s.
=== Micro-array testing ===
=== Micro-array testing ===