What is Genetic Screening?

About Genetic Screening:

• It is a tool used to identify individuals who are at a higher risk of developing a particular disorder or who carry a specific gene for a disorder.
• It is a type of genetic testing, used to identify changes in an individual’s genetic material, such as their chromosomes, genes, or proteins. 
• Genetic material carries information that is important for determining various traits, like one’s hair or eye color, and can be passed down from parents to children. 
• Some genes may be altered in an individual, which may then increase an individual’s risk of developing a certain disease/condition.
• Genetic screening seeks to identify altered genes in individuals in order to determine any risk and provide preventive measures and early treatment options accordingly. 
• Genetic Testing in Sports:
  • Genetic tests, initially used for detecting diseases or predispositions, entered the sporting world in the late 1990s, when scientists began to gather evidence that genes influence various aspects of athletic performance, including endurance, flexibility, and psychological traits.
  • Scientists study genetic variants, which are differences that arise from mutations in specific DNA sequences. These mutations contribute to unique athletic characteristics and traits.
  • On average, 66 percent of differences in athlete status can be explained by genetic factors, with the remaining shaped by environmental factors such as practice, nutrition, birthplace, and the availability of medical and social support.

Q1: What is a Chromosome?

A chromosome is a thread-like structure made of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and associated proteins found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Chromosomes are essential components of living organisms, and they play a central role in the storage and transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next.

Source: Olympics Special: Genetics at play