Genetic testing and screening are two modes of disease deterrence. These modes assist in assessing the dangers of a genetic condition in a person or people respectively. The significant difference between genetic testing and screening shows that genetic testing is conducted on a person while genetic screening is conducted on a population. As such, genetic testing indicates the dangers of possessing a genetic ailment in a person after conducting strict lab examinations. These two modes make use of lab examinations. More particularly, pregnant females go through these two processes more frequently.
What is Genetic Testing?
Genetic testing is described as using laboratory analyses to know the dangers of possessing a genetic ailment or genetic deficiencies in a person with a family record of having that ailment. Genetic testing is conducted only on a person and not on a population. It makes known the availability or scarcity of the specific gene that triggers the genetic ailment. Any person who presumes to have the ailment gene can go through genetic testing and becomes sure of it. Although preliminary to genetic testing, the individual may go through a screening test, and regarding the outcome and the family’s medical record, the individual can go for genetic testing. For instance, an individual being part of a family with an environment of cystic fibrosis can undergo genetic testing to determine the presence of the particular gene triggering cystic fibrosis. Genetic testing has to do with a strict diagnostic test which has to do with karyotyping, microarray, etc.
What is Genetic Screening?
Genetic screening is a medical examination that utilizes a population to discover the likelihood of possessing a specific genetic ailment within a particular age group or ethnic group. Genetic screening is known as population-based screening. It is not conducted for only a person. People may be asymptomatic. But suppose an individual wants to confirm the dangers of acquiring or not acquiring a certain genetic ailment that survives in a population. In that case, he may go for a genetic screening preliminary to genetic testing. Genetic testing makes use of a set of diagnostics analyses. But they are not as strict as genetic testing. Whenever genetic testing is conducted on a population, it is simple to understand which component carries ailment genes and which components do not, and also those that possess an increased danger. Sickle cell ailment, for instance, is more inclined to get in African – Americans. Therefore, they use genetic screening to discover the availability of this particular gene among their population. Another instance is that so many pregnant females undergo genetic screening to determine the genetic testing to acquire regarding the outcome of genetic screening. Genetic screening involves family records, prenatal examinations, newborn screening, and more.
Difference Between Genetic Testing and Genetic Screening
- Genetic testing is described as the use of laboratory analysis to discover the availability of a gene in a person that triggers a certain genetic ailment. On the other hand, genetic screening is a population-based screening conducted to determine the individual who acquires the ailment and possesses the gene and the dangers.
- Genetic testing is carried out on a person. Genetic screening is carried out on a certain population.
- The person is usually symptomatic in genetic testing, while the individuals are generally asymptomatic in genetic screening.
- Genetic testing makes use of strict medical diagnostic examinations. Genetic screening uses simple medical diagnostic analysis.
- Genetic testing makes use of treatment choices, while screening makes use of diagnostic analysis.
- Genetic testing is more expensive than genetic screening.
- The outcomes of genetic testing offer a definite diagnosis. Genetic screening suggests scepticism of ailments but guarantees confirmation.
