Ancestry

The individuals who came before you in your family tree, forming the foundation of your lineage.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors, as related to genetics, refers to exposures to substances (such as pesticides or industrial waste) where we live or work, behaviors (such as smoking or poor diet) that can increase an individual's risk of disease or stressful situations (such as racism).

Family Health History

Family health history is a record of the diseases and health conditions in your family.

Genetic Testing

A laboratory method that looks for changes in genes, gene expression, or chromosomes in a person's cells or tissues.

Genetics

Genetics is the study of how genes and how traits are passed down from one generation to the next. Our genes carry information that affects our health, our appearance, and even our personality!

Heredity

The passing on of genes and genetic traits from parent to offspring.

Lineage

The word lineage is used to describe everyone who descends from a particular ancestor.

Maiden Name

Essentially, her maiden name is the surname of the family she was born into.

Maternal

Maternal is used to describe feelings or actions which are typical of those of a kind mother toward her child

Medical History

A record of information about a person's health.

Paternal

Paternal describes things related to a father or fatherhood. Sometimes, they mean motherly and fatherly, as in phrases like maternal/paternal instincts.

Predisposition

The state of being likely to behave in a particular way or to suffer from a particular disease: She has an annoying predisposition to find fault.

Surname

Your surname is your family name. It's also called your “last name.” When filling out applications, type your surname as it appears on your passport, travel or identity document. Do not use initials.