Ive heard about other genetic tests. Why do people do genetic testing, and where does OTSPs test fit?
DNA testing is used in our society in many different ways. The ways you think about it may be shaped by contexts in which you may have encountered it before. Genetic testing can be used in medicine to estimate an individual’s risk for certain diseases or conditions. In prenatal diagnosis, a sample of a baby’s DNA can be tested early in a pregnancy if parents are concerned about genetic disorders. In forensic testing, DNA is used to identify people (e.g., paternity testing or identifying human remains). The state of California maintains a forensic database of DNA samples from all adults arrested for a felony offense. Commercial firms advertise ancestry kits that include DNA tests. The genetic test offered by OTSP looks at three specific genes that are linked to particular metabolic conditions. The information it provides has some medical significance. For example, women’s ability to get enough folic acid in their diet is very important if they get pregnant. While the test gives informat
