The Universe of Genetic Testing
This article was written by Barbara Border, PhD. Associate Professor and Program Director, Molecular Pathology. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used.
General Reference
GeneTests: A federally-funded site offering expert-authored disease reviews and international directories of genetic testing laboratories and diagnostic clinics.
Genetics Home Reference: A guide to understanding genetic conditions from the National Institutes of Health.
Primers on basic human genetics and genetic testing
National Cancer Institute: Understanding Gene Testing (slide show format):
US Department of Health & Human Services: Understanding Gene Testing
National Institutes of Health (NHGRI), Genome.gov: Talking Glossary
More information on pharmacogenomics
www.nigms.nih.gov/pharmacogenetics/
More information on identity testing
Human Identity (Forensic DNA Testing)
More information on parentage (parental) testingAABB: Parentage Testing Accreditation Program
More information on tissue typing
Basic Information: http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/T/Transplants.html
A list of references regarding bone marrow transplantation:
http://www.marrow.org/MEDICAL/tissue_typing_stem_cell_transplantation.html
For more information on chromosome analysis
Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin at Madison
University of Washington Cytogenetics Gallery
For more information on genetic testing for infectious diseases
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Nucleic acid amplification testing: the new infectious disease testing method for donor blood
The following links will provide you with excellent basic information on human genetics, clinical genetic testing, genetic counseling, and other issues that surround genetics tests:
National Cancer Institute: Understanding Gene Testing (Excellent resource, slide show format)
US Department of Health & Human Services: Understanding Gene Testing
American College of Medical Genetics website provides education, resources and a voice for the medical genetics profession (This is an advanced site)
The National Human Genome Research Institute (This site explains many of the privacy, legal, and ethical issues surrounding clinical gene testing)
Genetic Alliance: a consumer organization that serves as a provider of essential quality genetics information and resources
Genetics Education Center (This is an outstanding site for educators and has numerous links to other education-oriented sites)
