Hi there! Good to have you on Medtrix once again. Today we will be discussing the importance of genotype testing.
If this is your first time here, I think you’d benefit more by reading through this previous post I made on the AS genotype and what should be known. Also, we talked a bit on genotype testing when we discussed premarital testing and tests required .
Moving on, we would see why there’s a hype on genotype testing and why it’s very important.
Genes
Genes are units of inheritance. Your genes are gotten from a combination of your mother’s and father’s gene.
Any disease, trait or character associated with genes is usually difficult to eliminate. Reason why one would worry much when someone has a genetic disease in contrast to someone else having an acquired disease. This doesn’t mean acquired diseases are to be neglected however.
Genotype
Genotype as its name implies is related with the genes. It refers to the complete set/collection of genes a child inherits from both parents.
Genotype Inheritance Pattern
If either the man or woman is AA (usual) or AS (trait), they can either give birth to AA or AS genotype with the possible combinations seen in the picture below.
When the man and woman are both AS, they can give birth to children with; AA, AS or the SS genotype with the possible combinations seen below.
For couples that are both AA or both SS, they would give birth to AA or SS children respectively.
For Intending Couples
Your child can have any blood group and not be affected except for the Rhesus positive females who have to be given some shots within pregnancy and after delivery (we’d save this discourse for another day). Genotype however, is a more delicate issue because of the Sickle Cell Disease.
The image above shows the possible combinations of genotypes compatible for marriage and those which are not.
Points to note
It’s not okay to have gone through life assuming a particular genotype and then premarital testing becomes the first time you’re having a genotype test. Irrespective of your parents insisting on being both AA, don’t assume you’re automatically AA and just go ahead with that.
Embrace any opportunity to run a genotype test especially as it’s fast becoming a norm for most schools to request a genotype test result. Most employers have also included it as a prerequisite to resumption of a new job.
Having a genotype test either gives a sense of conviction to what you have previously assumed your genotype is, or in worse cases, confirms your assumption was wrong and helps you avoid dangerous outcomes in marriage.
I remember a friend, a medical personnel, whom we had his genotype test done and discovered it to be SC. He couldn’t believe it because he had always thought he was AS.
Enough emphasis cannot be laid on the importance of having a genotype test done before marriage. It is recommended that intending couples should have a genotype test done at least 3 times and in different certified labs, before marriage.
Stay Alert!
Maureen.
Medtrix 