By Dr. Farhana Fiona Rahman, Programme Leader- Clinical Diagnostics – Healthcare

Genetic testing can provide information for peace-of-mind, prevention, treatment and healing. Genes play a key role in the context of medical and life decisions such as planning a family, selecting a form of birth control or starting hormone replacement therapy and can help make better decisions, to live a longer, healthier life. For example most cancers have more than 90 percent five year survival rate if detected in the localised stages and genetic testing remains the foremost weapon in fighting against cancer morbidity and mortality. Tests provide individual patterns of activity to determine the likelihood of a tumour spreading and the most appropriate therapy.

People are well informed of health issues than in the past with information from the media and the Internet being readily available and patients wishing to take a more active part in their own healthcare. This has caused an increasing demand for genetic tests. Utilising genetic self tests can play a crucial role in informing patients of their conditions ahead of discussing the implications of their afflictions on their health with medical staff. Feedback from experts suggests that in the future treatment is likely to be designed in conjunction with these genetic tests. It is imperative that the public be aware of the limitations of genetic self tests, the importance in adhering to the instructions for use and consulting a physician if their test results are positive. People are very interested in wanting to use this technology to learn more about themselves. The increased growth of marketing self testing DNA test is most seen on the internet, where numerous companies offer an array of products. Many consumers are investing into these companies offers as public interest grows through advertising, campaigns and media.

However, medical communities have put emphasis on preventive medicine as the most efficacious and cost effective approach to improving the quality of life. In addition researchers have realised that the most advantageous way to combat many diseases such as diabetes or cancer is to predict susceptibility and begin preventive treatment before the onset of disease. Designing preventive screening programs with the doctor will allow people to be in charge of their own health. Lifestyle changes can significantly affect the course of diabetes that may delay the onset, lessen the severity or prevent the disease all together. Therefore genetic testing has tremendous market value.

Genetic testing can also reveal the chances of developing a disease and decide on the course of action upon reaching the same age that a parent or close relative who developed the disease. These tests look at the genetic makeup to see if the person is a carrier of a gene that puts them at high risk for a certain disease. This type of testing can be utilised to confirm a diagnosis, or determine whether a disease the person has is genetically based. The likelihood of developing cancer throughout one’s lifetime is roughly 1 in 2 for men and 1 in 3 in women. However, 72% of new cancers are diagnosed in individuals over the age of 55. Cancer as a result of genetic mutations acquired through a lifetime, and the cumulative effects of carcinogenic exposure and mistakes in DNA repair increase as one ages

So far, genetic testing can be used to predict the chance of a disease developing so appropriate action can be taken. However genetic testing has many other answers when making important life or health related decisions. For example genetic testing can be applied when making treatment decisions to determine whether a surgical intervention will lower risk and to determine the response to a medication, without having to "try it out" first. Drug metabolism tests measure how the body processes certain types of drugs, and whether or not side effects or toxicity will be experienced. For some drugs, testing will tell you whether the drug in question will be effective. Ancestry Tests investigate the Y chromosome (men only) and mitochondrial DNA for specific genetic markers that are unique to certain populations. These results can be used to understand deep ancestry migration patterns, and thus, genetic ethnicity. Genes are a family heirloom as some genetic tests can have major implications for family members as genetic testing has the ability to uncover previously unknown family relationships, such as paternity.

Feedback has suggested that genetic testing should only be used in carefully controlled circumstances where it is of proven benefit to the health of the patient. The genetic testing market is expected to grow as the medical understanding of the relationship between genes and disease condition increases, patients will begin to increasingly utilize genetic diagnostics. Testing will have continued adoption in the area of cancer diagnostics and other areas are likely to experience varying levels of adoption on an individual basis. Haemostasis and cardiology tests will continue nominal adoption of predisposition and diagnostic tests.

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