What does genetic testing assess in an individual’s DNA?

Genetic testing is a powerful tool that evaluates an individual's DNA to provide information about various genetic conditions. It primarily assesses an individual's carrier status for certain genetic disorders, meaning it can determine whether a person carries a gene for a hereditary condition that might not exhibit symptoms themselves but could be passed on to offspring. This aspect is crucial for planning families and understanding possible health risks for future generations.

Additionally, genetic testing can help diagnose existing diseases by identifying specific genetic mutations associated with those conditions. This diagnostic capability allows for tailored medical management and treatment strategies that can significantly improve patient outcomes.

While immune responses, cancer risk, and infectious diseases are important aspects of health, they are typically assessed through different methods. Immunological assessments focus on how well an individual's immune system functions, cancer risk assessments often involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors rather than purely genetic analysis, and infectious diseases are usually diagnosed through other testing methods such as cultures or serological tests. Thus, the correct answer encapsulates the broad scope of what genetic testing can accurately assess in terms of both carrier status and disease diagnosis.