Genetic Testing
Genetic testing is being marketed and used for a variety of different purposes, such as confirming or ruling out a suspected genetic condition or helping determine a person’s chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. It is also being marketed to improve the selection of medication for mental illness, such as depression.
Medications that work for some people may not work for others or may have significant side effects. A person’s genes are one of the factors that can influence a medication’s effectiveness. Genetic tests are marketed to help psychiatrists select antidepressant or antipsychotic medication for individual patients based on their genetic makeup.
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how a person’s genes influence their response to medications. Pharmacogenomics is part of precision medicine, which involves individualizing and customizing treatments to individuals. Researchers compare the genes of people taking a particular medication to look for whether people who share a certain genetic variation have a similar response, such as being more or less likely to benefit or at greater risk of side effects.