A comprehensive approach to evaluating the clinical utility of genome sequencing in rare disease: A large prospective Canadian cohort.
Researchers in Canada studied 715 patients with rare diseases who had their entire genome sequenced (a test that reads all of a person's genetic code). The study found that genome sequencing helped doctors in many ways: it confirmed diagnoses in some patients, changed how doctors treated 36% of patients, found new research opportunities, and identified genetic information that relatives should know about. The test also helped doctors avoid unnecessary tests in 88% of cases.