Okuzeka
Genetics & Biotechnology vocabulary · Bioethics and Regulation

Genetic testing

Meaning in genetics & biotechnology, with examples

nounCore term

In genetics & biotechnology, genetic testing means: Medical or research tests that examine a person's DNA, chromosomes or genes to find variants linked to a disease, a health risk or ancestry.

In Turkish: genetik test, genetik testler

How it is used

Used in clinics, labs and public debate. Types include diagnostic, predictive, carrier, prenatal and newborn testing. Results come in a report, ideally with genetic counseling before and after. Clinicians 'order' or 'offer' genetic testing; patients 'undergo' or 'decline' it.

Example sentences

  1. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy.

  2. She decided to have genetic testing after her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Common collocations

  • undergo genetic testing
  • offer genetic testing
  • predictive genetic testing
  • carrier testing
  • prenatal testing
  • genetic counselingA service in which a trained professional helps people understand a genetic condition, the chance that it affects them or their family, and their testing options.
  • informed consentPermission that a person gives freely to take part in research or to have a test or treatment, after the purpose, risks and benefits have been clearly explained.
  • carrierA person who has one copy of a recessive disease-causing variant, usually without symptoms, and who can pass the variant on to their children.
  • variantA difference in a DNA sequence compared with a reference sequence. It is the neutral word used in clinical genetics, whether the change is harmful or harmless.
  • pathogenicCausing disease. In clinical genetics, it describes a variant for which there is strong evidence that it causes a particular condition.

More terms: Bioethics and Regulation

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: