Screening For Clinically Important Genes

Question 1

What can screening determine the probability of?

Answer 1

Couples having offspring with a genetic disorder

Question 2

What can potential parents who are at risk do after being screened?

Answer 2

Obtain advice from a genetic counsellor about the implications of having children, based on their family history

Question 3

What else can genetic screening detect?

Answer 3

Oncogenes, which are responsible for cancer

Question 4

What is a genetic counsellor?

Answer 4

An expert who provides advice that helps individuals to understand the results and implications of the screening and so make appropriate decisions

Question 5

What are some of the frequently asked questions when it comes to genetic screening?

Answer 5

Who decides who should be screened? Who has access to the test results? What are the responsibilities of someone who carries a gene for an inherited disease? Who decides what is a defect or a disease?

Question 6

What is genetic screening?

Answer 6

A genetic technique that can determine whether an unborn child might be affected by a genetic disorder