Everyone who is deciding whether to get genetic testing should first ask:
- "Why am I getting tested?"
- "What will this test mean for me?"
- "What are the benefits of testing?"
- "Are there any implications I should consider?"
These are very personal decisions. Before having array CGH testing, we recommend you consider the medical and personal issues involved in testing. Below are some of the pros and cons of testing.
| Pros | Cons |
- Testing will find many small chromosome changes that can cause developmental problems, including birth defects.
- If testing finds a chromosome deletion or duplication, the results are very reliable.
- Finding a chromosome change may:
- Explain the cause of health and developmental problems
- Provide information about what health problems may develop in the future
- Help family members know whether they have an increased chance to have a child with a chromosome change
- If no chromosome change is found, it rules out an important group of causes of developmental problems.
| - Array CGH cannot find many other genetic changes. Specialized testing is usually ordered if there are reasons to consider another specific genetic condition.
- A normal result just rules out certain conditions and won’t explain any symptoms you are having.
- There is a chance to get a result that is uncertain.
- Insurance doesn’t always cover genetic testing and the cost for genetic tests is usually higher than typical laboratory tests.
- You may have concerns about discrimination based on your results. There are laws that help protect most people from health insurance and employment discrimination. Genetic discrimination may also be a concern in getting life, disability, and long-term care insurance.
- Genetic test results can cause significant and sometimes unexpected emotional reactions. Consider trying to anticipate how a positive or negative result may make you, and those around you, feel.
- Genetic testing can reveal information about biological and non-biological relationships when testing several family members.
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