Dictionary

pharmacogenetics: The study or clinical testing of genetic variation that gives rise to differing response to drugs.

polymorphisms: Common and natural variations in DNA.

positive genetics test: When a genetics test reveals a change in a particular gene, chromosome or protein. This can indicate that a person is a genetic carrier of a certain genetic mutation or identify an increased risk of developing a disease.

predictive testing: A type of genetic testing used to determine gene mutations associated with disorders that appear after birth, or possibly later in life. It can identify family members who are at risk of developing genetic disorders.

prenatal testing: A test that provides information about a baby's health before he or she has been born.

protein: Large organic compounds made of amino acids that are arranged in a linear chain and joined together.

recurrence: When a genetically inherited disease shows up in another family member.

ribotyping: A type of genetic fingerprinting of genomic DNA restriction fragments that have all or parts of certain genes.