What types of genetic test might be used in the workplace?
A genetic test involves analysing a person’s genetic material (their DNA) to see if they possess a ‘faulty’ gene. DNA can be isolated from a blood sample or a tissue sample obtained by simply scraping the inside of a person’s cheek. Everyone’s genes are different. Some of these differences have no impact but, where these differences are significant, they are thought to prevent genes from working properly and so lead to disease. However, the relationships are far from straightforward. Very many other factors – for example, lifestyle and diet – have a major influence on whether genes have an impact on health.
