The Daily Pulse.

Your source for accurate, unbiased news and insightful analysis

health

What does it mean when genetic testing comes back negative?

By Emma Payne |

What does it mean when genetic testing comes back negative?

A negative test result means that the laboratory did not find a change that is known to affect health or development in the gene, chromosome, or protein under consideration.

What diseases can be detected through genetic testing?

7 Diseases You Can Learn About from a Genetic Test

  • Intro. (Image credit: Danil Chepko | Dreamstime)
  • Breast and ovarian cancer.
  • Celiac disease.
  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
  • Bipolar disorder.
  • Obesity.
  • Parkinson’s disease.
  • Psoriasis.

What does a genetic test test for?

Genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in genes, chromosomes, or proteins. 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.

Why is my genetic test taking so long?

Why do some genetic tests take so long whilst others can be done quickly? If the laboratory knows exactly what mutation it is looking for, because somebody else in the family has the same condition, or because the laboratory knows which area of the gene to look at, it has a much easier task.

Can a genetic test be wrong?

How accurate are prenatal genetic screening tests? With any type of testing, there is a possibility of false-positive results and false-negative results. A screening test result that shows there is a problem when one does not exist is called a false-positive result.

Can 23andMe tell if you have a disease?

No, 23andMe reports do not diagnose any health conditions or provide medical advice. The 23andMe Carrier Status* Reports can tell you if you have specific genetic variants that you could pass on to your children, from saliva collected using an FDA-cleared collection device (Oragene DX model OGD.