What is genotyping? Essentially, it is a form of medicine that is performed in the laboratory. It can be used for individuals that have certain diseases as a means of figuring out how best to combat those diseases. By the same token, it can also be used as something of a preventive measure, as many individuals can use it to find out what they are likely to suffer from later on. While genotyping is still relatively new, there have been tremendous advances made as a direct result of it.
Combatting Disease
Imagine being told that you have cancer or that you have developed some type of immune disease that will impact you for the rest of your life. Imagine being told that you only have a few months to live. Do you know that genotyping can be used to combat disease by analyzing a person’s DNA structure? This in turn gives medical professionals an opportunity to change the way that they treat you for certain diseases. This is often far more effective than it would have been otherwise. In many cases, it can mean the difference between life and death. By the same token, it can also be the deciding factor between living a normal and relatively healthy life or living with severe restrictions for decades.
Preventing Disease
Some people use genotyping to prevent disease. By understanding an individual's DNA, it is possible to better understand what diseases are likely to affect them as they age. This can help medical professionals keep those illnesses at bay by being proactive with certain treatment plans and lifestyle changes. As a result, it might prevent a person from developing cancer or heart disease to begin with.
The technological developments surrounding genotyping are just starting to become obvious. As time progresses, there will undoubtedly be far more sophisticated advances in this form of medicine. It is exciting to think about what might be possible when it comes to treating and even preventing disease as a direct result of this type of research.