2010 National DNA Day Online Chatroom Transcript
This is just one question from an archive of the National DNA Day Moderated Chat held in April 2010. The NHGRI Director and many genomics experts from across NHGRI took questions from students, teachers and the general public on topics ranging from basic genomic research, to the genetic basis of disease, to ethical questions about genetic privacy.
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Has anything ever gone wrong with your testing of genes?
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Angela Filose, M.S.:
Angela Filose, M.S. has entered the chatroom. Take a look at her bio: I work as a genetic counselor with prenatal, pediatric and hereditary cancer patients. I help evaluate patients for genetic conditions in themselves or their babies, and help guide them through information.
Unfortunately, yes. There is always a risk for error with a genetic test when humans are involved, as sometimes we make mistakes. There's always a chance for a mistake with any medical test! Thankfully, most labs are REALLY careful when running any genetic test as they know the information is so important for the family. Also, when a family is being evaluated by a genetic doctor, we try to be very careful to run genetic tests that are as accurate as possible, and that will help that family or patient as much as we can. |
| Palms Middle School in CA (7th grade student) |
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