January 09, 2005
Urine DNA Test May Prove to be Ground-breaking
Detecting Down syndrome or other genetic problems normally requires amniocentesis at about 15 weeks of pregnancy, but with urine DNA analysis, the fetal DNA can be found as early as six weeks.
"That means that we can give you an earlier diagnosis. The second thing that it means is that you get away from all the risks that are attendant to amniocentesis," (Randy White, of the genetic research company Xenomics) said. "You're not sticking a nine-inch needle into somebody's abdomen. You're not running the risk of infections or spontaneous abortions and so forth."
That means fetal genetic testing could be safe for younger women.
In transplantation, increasing amounts of the organ donor's DNA, which is distinct from the recipent's DNA, means that the organ is breaking down -- signaling early rejection.
When it comes to early cancer detection though, it's a little different.
"We are able to genotype that tumor and know what that signature is," White said. "We can now monitor your urine for regrowth of that tumor."
~Your body has it's own DNA while other DNA is borrowed (transplants) or is along-for-the-ride (fetuses/tumour), while still other DNA (food) passes on through? I'm confused.
(There has to be a graffiti artist using the tag DNA.)
DNA Graffiti by Crimsoned Life