Interesting Uses For DNA Testing

Prenatal Genetic Testing

When women are pregnant, prenatal genetic testing can be helpful to determine if their fetus has any abnormalities with their genes. Two of the disorders most often noticed this way include trisomy 18 syndrome and Down syndrome. It is common for doctors to recommend their patients be tested for these disorders. When women know ahead of time their baby may be born with abnormalities, it makes it easier to make the appropriate plans. Amniocentesis is typically used for this type of genetic testing. This test takes a sample of the women’s amniotic fluid and tests it. There is a newer option doctors might also consider that is referred to as cell-free DNA testing. It involves taking a blood sample from mom to check out the baby’s DNA.

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Social And Legal Obligations

When two individuals have a baby, they each contribute genetic material to the child. This allows individuals to use DNA for situations involving social and legal obligations like paternity. This can be done both during pregnancy and after the child is born. After the child is born, a blood or saliva sample is taken from the child and their parents to look for a familial relation. During pregnancy, amniocentesis and other prenatal genetic testing methods can be used to look for familial relation. While this is usually done to determine who a child’s father is, maternal DNA can also be used to determine who a child’s mother is. In the legal realm, DNA is also used to solve crimes. When body fluids are collected, they can be tested for DNA.

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