New Approaches To Molecular Diagnosis

Date: Apr-09-2013"Advances in understanding the molecular basis of rare and common disorders, as well as in the technology of DNA analysis, are rapidly changing the landscape of molecular genetic and genomic testing," writes Bruce R. Korf, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Heidi L. Rehm, Ph.D., of the Partners Healthcare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine, Cambridge, Mass., in a Special Communication.

"Genomic testing may be used to identify risk factors for common disorders, although the clinical utility of such testing is unclear. Genetic and genomic tests may raise new ethical, legal, and social issues, some of which may be addressed by existing genetic non-discrimination legislation, but which also must be addressed in the course of genetic counseling."

In this article, the authors provide information "to assist physicians in recognizing where new approaches to genetic and genomic testing may be applied clinically and in being aware of the principles of interpretation of test results."

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.