Genetic testing, popularly known as DNA testing, allows the genetic diagnosis of risks to inherited diseases, information about a person's genes and chromosomes throughout one's life and several other information. Patients who need genetic testing are compelled to go India for the service."WHO has provided us the genetic lab and other necessary equipment. We will start the service within next two to three weeks," Dr Swyam Prakash Pandit, director at the hospital said. He informed that a doctor at the Bir Hospital, who was sent to Sri Lanka for training to operate the genetic lab has already returned after completing training.
According to Dr Pandit, the hospital too has bought some equipment, which are necessary to run the laboratory. He said that the genetic lab provides various services including screening of newborns, which is conducted just after the birth to identify genetic disorders that can be treated early in life. The service also gives chance to parents to provide special diet to their children to avoid the effects of some disorders. The tests involve analyzing multiple genes to determine the risk of developing certain more common diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
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