Genetic screening

• Which two genes are commonly screened?

  Proto-oncogenes and TSG
• What can genetic screening determine?

  Whether an unborn child will be affected by a genetic disorder
• What is offered to parents to help with decisions?

  Genetic counselling
• What are the implications of genetic screening?

  Social, ethical, legal and financial
• What can genetic screening be used for in adults?

  Personalised medicine
• What is personalised medicine?

  Certain genes can make drugs more or less effective, so genetic screening allows doctors to determine the exact drug and dose to administer
• What are 2 examples of personalised medicine?

  • Painkillers
  • Vitamin E
• How are painkillers personalised?

  Certain enzymes are needed to activate certain painkillers, patients can be screened to see which painkiller will be most effective
• How is vitamin E involved in personalised medicine?

  In diabetics, vitamin E can be used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, however some genotypes make vitamin E increase the risk