Home > Prevention & Risk Assessment > Cancer Genetics > Prostate Cancer Genetics Project > Newsletters

Summer, 2011

How Does Clinical Genetic Testing Differ From Research Testing?

Genetic testing examines a person's DNA for the presence of genetic variants that may change his/her risk of a specific genetic disorder. Research and clinical genetic testing differ mainly in the purpose of the test and the form of the results. The goal of genetic research is the discovery of new variants that may influence people's tendency to suffer from a genetic disease. Overall results are usually published but individual results are not available to patients or their healthcare providers. In clinical genetic testing the goal is to diagnose a genetic disorder based on the presence of known variants with a strong proven role in the disorder. Clinical results are sent to patients and their healthcare providers to help make decisions about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of their disease. Because of this, clinical genetic testing must be carried out in special CLIA-certified laboratories that follow strict guidelines to ensure accuracy.

Contact Us

Prostate Cancer Genetics Project
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
7436 Cancer Center
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Phone: 800-723-9170
Fax: 734-647-4338
Email: pcgp-project@med.umich.edu

Resources to Print

Prostate Cancer Genetics Project brochure

Family History Form

Summer, 2011 Newsletter