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What is the difference between DNA Test and Bone Marrow Test?

What is the difference between DNA Test and Bone Marrow Test?

It is important to understand the difference between the bone marrow and DNA test in Delhi.  DNA tests analyse the DNA samples through skin, hair, saliva to identify genetic abnormalities and on the other...

It is important to understand the difference between the bone marrow and DNA test

DNA tests analyse the DNA samples through skin, hair, saliva to identify genetic abnormalities and on the other hand the bone marrow test is used to examine the bone marrow itself. Let’s discuss this with more clear explanations. 

What is the purpose of DNA testing?

A DNA test analyzes a person's genetics to identify genetic variations and abnormalities. It is also known as genetic testing. 

It's used for various purposes, including:

  • Determine familial susceptibility to specific diseases.
  • Forensic identification.
  • Ancestry tracing.
  • Developing biological relationships (paternity tests).

What are the sources for DNA testing?

DNA can be collected through-

  • Saliva  
  • Blood
  • Hair  
  • Skin cells

What is the purpose of bone marrow testing?

It is mainly used to identify conditions that affect the bone marrow and blood. The spongy tissues present  inside bones that produce blood cells are called bone marrow, and testing for it is the goal of bone marrow testing. 

These conditions include- 

Extracting samples of bone marrow usually from the hip bone, through a procedure called bone marrow biopsy.

What are the different types of DNA tests?

There are many different types of DNA tests which include- 

  • Genes: Gene tests help to analyze your DNA to find mutations in your genes that can increase the risk of developing a genetic disorder. 
  • Chromosomes: Chromosomes tests look for changes in the order of genes that could be the cause of a genetic condition. 
  • Proteins: It analyses the enzyme activity in cells. It also looks for chemical reactions in your cells. 

What diseases can be detected through genetic testing?

It is important to understand when genetic testing is important? Genetic testing can rule out many different diseases and conditions. Such as:

How does a DNA test work?

Your provider  will collect a sample of your skin, blood, hair tissue or amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is the fluid that rotates around your developing fetus during your pregnancy. The sample collected will be sent to the laboratory. Technologists or laboratory technicians will look into the changes or mutations in your genes, chromosomes and proteins. 

What are the risk factors for DNA testing?

The risk in genetic testing is small.. Here are some risk factors of DNA testing including- 

  • Prenatal testing does carry a small risk of miscarriage. This is because the test requires a sample of amniotic fluid from around the developing fetus.
  • The risk of genetic testing leads to emotional and financial loss. Unexpected results may lead you to feel angry, scared, depressed, anxious or guilty. 
  • Genetic testing is a bit more expensive than other tests.
  • Genetic testing doesn’t provide 100% accuracy. 

Conclusion

Through the samples of saliva, hair and skin your healthcare provider will proceed to DNA or genetic testing, it will detect the genetic disorders while bone marrow testing helps to identify the bone marrow disorders itself through the samples of hip bone. Both are different and able to identify the different disorders occurring or generating in the body. 

FAQS- 

Q. What is a DNA paternity test?

A DNA paternity test helps to identify the child's biological father. 

Q. What is the meaning of negative and positive results?

  • Positive result: If your genetic testing is positive, it means your healthcare provider found a mutation or cause of disease in your body.
  • Negative Result: If the test is negative it means there’s no genetic mutation in your DNA to cause the disease.