Heather Arranie 
Genetic testing has always been controversial because of ethical issues and failures to respect an individual’s right to privacy. What if someone else could look through your genome and figure out whether you’re likely to get sick?
One of the most fascinating aspects of genetic sequencing is how it might be used to provide personalized health care, but there are considerable barriers on the path toward routine clinical use. One major problem with using personal genomes for medical information is that not everyone has the same genes. In order to make personal genomic medicine a reality, we need to know how an individual’s genes interact with the environment.
What are alleles for a trait?
Alleles are variations of a gene. They can be different forms of the same gene or they can be different genes that produce the same trait. For example, eye color is controlled by several genes, so there are many different alleles for eye color. Most people have two alleles for a trait, but some people have three or only one. If both alleles are the same, it’s called “homozygous.” If they are different, it is referred to as “heterozygous.”
How do you inherit alleles for a trait?
Half of your alleles come from your mother and half from your father. In some cases, it’s obvious which allele an individual inherited from a parent because the two alleles are the same. In other cases, it can be very difficult to tell who contributed which allele. People might have different opinions about which allele was passed on by each parent, but it’s impossible for anyone to know for certain.
Which term describes an organism that has identical alleles for a trait?
Homozygous. If both alleles are the same, it’s called “homozygous.” If they are different, it is referred to as “heterozygous.” Most people have two alleles for a trait, but some people have three or only one. If both alleles are the same, it’s called “homozygous.” If they are different, it is referred to as “heterozygous.” This term describes an organism that has identical alleles for a trait. In order to make personal genomic medicine a reality, we need to know how an individual’s genes interact with the environment.
It’s impossible for anyone to know for certain which allele was passed on by each parent. This term describes an organism that has identical alleles for a trait.
Are there any benefits to genetic testing?
There are many benefits to genetic testing. The most obvious benefit is that it can help identify whether a person is at risk for developing a particular disease. Genetic testing can also be used to determine the best course of treatment for a particular illness. For example, if you know that you have a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, you can take steps to reduce your risk for cancer. You might choose to have regular mammograms and other screenings, or you might choose to have your ovaries and breasts removed. While it can be emotionally challenging to find out that you are at a higher risk for cancer, the information provided by genetic testing makes managing cancer risk much easier.
In conclusion, genetic testing has also been shown to be helpful in diagnosing and treating many other diseases. In some cases, genetic testing can help doctors choose the best treatment for a patient. For example, if a patient has a gene that puts them at risk for a heart attack, their doctor might prescribe a different medication than they would prescribe for someone without the gene. In other cases, a doctor can use a patient’s genes to predict whether they will respond positively to a certain medication. Genetic testing is a powerful tool that improves our understanding of how specific mutations contribute to health and disease.
