Genetic Testing: An Intervention of Biotechnology for Healthy Motherhood

Abstract

The journey from a woman to a mother had been one of the sweetest of its kind. Having a child with a chronic illness has a major impact on the family as a whole, especially mothers. Mothers of a child with chronic disease experience difficulties in dealing with feelings which may subsequently lead to a dysfunctional family. Usually parenting stress is more on mothers caused by having their more affectionate interactions with their children. The sources of distress vary; these include disease severity, treatment procedures, the uncertainty of treatment outcome and financial burden. A genetic and congenital disorder is the major cause of mortality in infants and children. Commonly observed genetic disorders in the Indian population is hemoglobinopathies, cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy. The objective of genetic testing is to identify changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins at prenatal, neonatal or during any stage of life. These tests can be helpful to people or families with a genetic disorder. These techniques are extremely cost-effective when compared with cost of treatment for affected infant for many years. Recent advances in biotechnology—PCR, real-time PCR, NGS proved to be boon in diagnosis and prevention of genetic diseases. As preventing inheritance of the genetic diseases is the only best policy for the genetic disease-free population.

Keywords: Genetic testing, molecular diagnostics, genetic diseases, inherited diseases

Cite this Article

Anjali Kulkarni, Yachana Jha. Genetic Testing: An Intervention of Biotechnology for Healthy Motherhood. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Health Professions. 2018; 8(Issue 3 Special): 87s-90s.