noun. 1  Linguistics A predictable phonetic variant of a phoneme. 2  For example, the aspirated t of top, the unaspirated t of stop, and the tt (pronounced as a flap) of batter are allophones of the English phoneme &sol;t&sol;. 3  or Allophone Canadian A person whose native language is other than French or English.
What is genetic testing? Genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a personâs chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. More than 1,000 genetic tests are currently in use, and more are being developed. Several methods can be used for genetic testing: Molecular genetic tests (or gene tests) study single genes or short lengths of DNA to identify variations or mutations that lead to a genetic disorder.
If the genetic testing is for a certain type of cancer, you may also be asked about your own medical history. This may include early detection practices, gynecologic history (for women), lifestyle factors, and exposure to things that can cause cancer (carcinogens).or more about this kind of testing and its use in cancer treatment, see our information on specific types of cancer. The rest of this document focuses on predictive genetic testing for inherited mutations as they relate to cancer.