Is genetic testing safe for children?
2020-04-10
Is the science of natural genetic testing for children?
The so-called child talent gene test is to take the child's oral mucosa for gene sequencing to find out the advantageous talent gene that the child has. Based on 11 genes in 5 categories including memory, IQ, emotional intelligence, physical fitness, and concentration that are closely related to career success, [1] to reveal their potential intelligence types and characteristics, and help parents to establish appropriate training based on the test results Plan to make the child a genius. In science, it has never been clear which genes are gifted genes, and this kind of gifted gene detection lacks sufficient scientific proof. The scientific nature of any genetic test is based on large-scale epidemiological investigations and evidence-based research data. Human ability in certain aspects has a certain genetic basis, but in terms of talented genes, we currently have a relatively weak understanding of the correlation between genes and abilities or talents. Which gene is related to what talents and how relevant is it, The understanding is still superficial, and it is difficult to accurately and clearly define which genes have influence on which specific talents. Certain gifted genetic testing projects are a means of publicity stunts and profiteering by certain commercial organizations. Even if one day can detect genes related to the so-called "talent", it may not necessarily be able to predict a person's ability in the future. Because the genetic basis is determined by both the genes and the regulatory factors of the genes, that is, the innate and acquired environments work together. If parents want their children to make achievements in a certain field, they should carefully observe and guide and encourage them.
Children's medication guide genetic testing, medication is safer
Genetic testing refers to the technology of collecting blood, other body fluids, or tissue cells of a test person, and detecting DNA molecular information through specific equipment, so as to diagnose diseases or make risk predictions and drug selection technologies [2]. At present, genetic testing is mainly used in three aspects: diagnosis of genetic diseases, detection of tumor susceptibility genes, and medication guidance. With the rapid development of pharmacogenomics, the relationship between more and more individual differences in drug effects and genetic polymorphisms has been elucidated, and genetic technology is gradually used to guide and optimize clinical medicine, making up for only The deficiency of individualized administration based on blood drug concentration opens up a new way for clinical individualized administration.
Children, as a special group of people, have always been concerned about the safety of their medication. According to data from the National Center for Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring, the adverse drug reaction rate of Chinese children is 12.9%, twice that of adults, and the adverse drug reaction rate of newborns is 24.4%, 4 times that of adults. Childhood is in the process of continuous growth, development, maturity, and perfection. The organs (liver, kidney, and blood-brain barrier) that are closely related to drug metabolism and detoxification functions are not perfect, and adverse drug reactions and poisoning are very likely to occur Pay attention to the safety of children's medication [3]. According to statistics from the China Deaf Children's Rehabilitation Research Center, 30,000 children are deaf every year due to improper medication. Among the more than 1 million deaf-mute children, more than 30% are due to toxic and side effects caused by improper medication.
The genetic testing of children's safe medication is of great significance. By detecting certain specific genotypes, serious adverse reactions caused by certain drugs can be avoided. For example, aminoglycoside drugs can cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Studies have found that mutations in the mitochondrial genes 12s rRNA A1555G and 12s rRNA C1494T are highly related to children ’s deafness caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics. Detection of this gene locus can also screen children ’s drugs. The risk of sexual deafness. If a genetic test can be performed in advance to screen out the high-risk patients with weakly metabolized aminoglycosides, they can be replaced with antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins. There is also the drug carbamazepine for the treatment of childhood epilepsy. Children carrying the human leukocyte antigen HLA-B * 1502 allele are prone to serious adverse reactions such as severe bullous polymorphic erythema when using this drug, which can even be life-threatening. On December 12, 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released safety information on carbamazepine. Patients with human leukocyte antigen allele HLA-B * 1502 are prone to dangerous or even carbamazepine use Fatal skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis) are recommended to be tested for HLA-B * 1502 alleles before starting carbamazepine.
