A member of your family has been diagnosed with a genetic disorder. Do you wonder if:

• You are a carrier of the same genetic disorder?
  
  
• Your unborn baby may have this genetic disorder?
  
  
• You could have a child with this genetic disorder
  
  
• Your relatives are carriers of this genetic disorder?
  
  
• You could develop this genetic disorder later in life?

DNA testing can answer one or more of these questions for some inherited disorders.

DNA is the genetics material found in each cell of the body. It is passed from parent to child, and carries the instructions for how the body develops and functions. It is expected that DNA testing will become available for many other genetic disorders in the future. If testing for a specific genetic disorder in your family is not currently available, DNA can be stored or banked for future use.

The decision whether or not to have a DNA test or to bank DNA is a personal one. By seeking information, you can make a decision which is right for you and/or your family.

Gina Kolata