While most people associate DNA test with paternity test, there are many instances in life when genetic testing is mandatory and can be lifesaving.
DNA testing looks for changes or variations in your genes. Kenyans.co.ke looks at some of these instances in one's life when DNA test is mandatory.
Solving Crime
Every individual has specific DNA and this has helped a lot in solving crime. Solving crime through DNA is usually referred to as DNA profiling or DNA fingerprinting.
According to Hudson Institute for Biotechnology, Forensic science increasingly relies on small bits of DNA left at crime scenes to link criminals to the crimes they commit.
In a crime scene, forensic experts can use a strand of hair left behind to nab an offender. Advanced in DNA testing has been crucial in solving homicide and rape cases.
Paternity Test
DNA test is the only process that is almost foolproof in determining if a man is the biological father of a child.
According to Cleveland Clinic, a test can show with 99.9% accuracy if a man isn’t a person’s biological father.
There are two major ways in which paternity test is usually done. Both the father and the child can provide blood samples or cheek swabs.
Results of a paternity issue can be used in cases of child support, inheritance or be used to prevent a genetic condition.
Prevent Genetic Diseases
According to Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Genetic testing can reveal changes (mutations) in your genes that may cause illness or disease.
This is key in making sure someone does not develop life-threatening conditions. With early diagnosis, doctors can work on curing or managing the condition.
Diagnose a disease
While DNA testing can be used to prevent genetic diseases, a test can also diagnose a condition before it becomes fully fledged.
According to Centre for Disease Control and Prevention DNA tests can give you lots of information about the genes that make up who you are. They can confirm if you have or don’t have a specific disease.
Cancer Prevention
Cancer(dot)net says Genetic testing helps estimate your chance of developing cancer in your lifetime. It does this by searching for specific changes in your genes, chromosomes, or proteins.
However, not all types of cancer can be detected through DNA testing though. Those that can be detected include; breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, kidney cancer and stomach cancer.
