| Abstract: |
This article describes some of the concerns regarding the genetic testing that can be used to determine who is at risk to develop celiac disease. This article is a follow-up to an earlier article that outlined the basics of genetic testing for celiac disease. In this article, the author answers questions that readers had about these genetics tests. Topics include people who have the genetic marker for celiac disease but never develop active disease, the interplay of celiac disease with other autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, triggers of celiac disease in people who have the genetic marker, recommendations regarding a gluten-free diet for people who test positive for the genetic marker for celiac but do not have active disease, concerns about child development and health, the official name of the test under discussion (Celiac Disease DNA Test, Kimball), the reliability of the genetic test, and recommendations for checking children, including newborns. One sidebar briefly describes the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), recently passed U.S. legislation to control the improper use of genetic test results. 4 references. |