In sport, genetic testing is targeted at assessing the risk of injury rather than the risk of a serious condition. Genetic testing in sport, therefore, should not be offered to athletes under the age of 18 years.
Do genetics affect athletic ability?
Athletic performance is a complex trait that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Many physical traits help determine an individual's athletic ability, primarily the strength of muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles ) and the predominant type of fibers that compose them.
Is it worth getting genetic testing?
The obvious benefit of genetic testing is the chance to better understand of your risk for a certain disease. It can help ease uncertainty. Testing is not perfect, but it can often help you make decisions about your health.
Should genetic analysis be used to screen athletes for health conditions?
Genetic tests might also be used to screen for health risks during sport such as genes that are linked to sudden cardiac death. Genetic tests for sudden cardiac death are already available but the report recommends that such testing should not be enforced on athletes.
Prenatal diagnosis is used to diagnose a genetic disease or condition in the developing fetus. Prenatal tests include screening blood, ultrasound (sonograms), amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS).
- Molecular tests look for changes in one or more genes.
- Chromosomal tests analyze whole chromosomes or long lengths of DNA to identify large-scale changes.
- Gene expression tests look at which genes are turned on or off (expressed) in different types of cells.
How many genetic test are there?
The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person's chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. More than 77,000 genetic tests are currently in use, and others are being developed.