As things stand now, the benefits of genetic testing are limited.  However, a genetic test may provide people with information that can help them with both their reproductive decisions and health behaviors. Because environment affects genetic expression, a genetic test may also alert individuals to a need to change diet, lifestyle, or physical surroundings. Genetic testing can identify individuals or groups who are at increased risk of disease.

Genetic testing can discover whether people have an increased risk of having a child with some types of genetic disorders.  There is also genetic testing for the developing fetus to find out if the fetus has such a disorder. Pre-implantation diagnostic testing of fertilized embryos is used to ascertain which ones are free of a particular genetic disorder that runs in the family (e.g., cystic fibrosis), and thus suitable for transfer to the mother’s womb.