What Is Genetic Testing?
More Programs and Publications Featuring Dr. Brandy Gunsolus
In this program:
Genetic testing can involve germline testing or somatic testing. Watch as medical laboratory scientist Dr. Brandy Gunsolus explains the differences between the two types of genetic testing and how the tests can assist with patient care.
Transcript
Interviewer:
So, Dr. Gunsolus, I'm going to begin with you. As our guest, we'd like to just ask from ground zero, what is genetic testing and are we relying on these advanced tests more and more?
Dr. Brandy Gunsolus:
So genetic testing is looking at the actual building blocks of the genetic code, and we are relying on these a lot more and more, but one thing you need to know is that there are two different types of genetic tests, there are your germline tests, and there are your somatic test. So your germline tests are the genetics that you're born with, and what we're looking for, problems that newborn babies are born with, we're looking at those building blocks that they're born in their DNA to that genetic code. Is there a misstep somewhere in that genetic code that is causing the conditions that they're having. And the other side is the somatic mutations, and this has to do a lot with cancer and oncology diagnosis. What cancer treatment has really evolved to now is that we're no longer just blanketly saying take chemotherapy radiation, while that still does apply for certain cancers, most cancers now are actually what we call targeted gene therapy, where we're looking for specific mutation within that gene within that tumor itself, and we provide medication to the patient that targets that specific mutation. So as you could see, because we have this, we're using these tests a lot more and more, there are so many implications for genetic testing, everything from what condition you have to what's the best treatment for your cancer, but even what types of medications and types of foods that your body can actually metabolize, and so there are all of these different implications that go into genetic testing, it's a very big industry right now.
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