Genetics Interview Questions & Answers

Best Genetics Interview Questions and Answers

Dear Readers, Welcome to Genetics Interview Questions and Answers have been designed specially to get you acquainted with the nature of questions you may encounter during your Job interview for the subject of Genetics Interview Questions. These Genetics Questions are very important for campus placement test and job interviews. As per my experience good interviewers hardly plan to ask any particular questions during your Job interview and these model questions are asked in the online technical test and interview of many IT & Non IT Industries.

1. What is your favorite thing or area in clinical genetics?

Well, the amazing thing about clinical genetics (also known as Genetic Medicine) to me is that it takes the field of genetics... a relatively new area of research in which so much has yet to be done... and begins to apply it practically to benefit those in need.

For example, counseling for prospective parents includes creating a genetic "tree" that helps trace problem genes through a couple's family to help identify the risk of serious disease in children they may want to bear.

And even when a child has been conceived, children with certain genetic diseases can now be diagnosed even before they are born!

And, to make things even more exciting, certain genetic diseases (such as Cystic Fibrosis) that were once only able to be managed or controlled by conventional medicine, are now the subject of trials aimed to CURE the disease by fixing the very DNA at fault.

2. What did you do to get into the field of clinical genetics?

I have not currently pursued the field of clinical genetics as a profession because I am just graduating medical school, but I do have clinical experience in the matter as a medical student.  It is also a career consideration of mine.

However, some basic things are a must:

a) Going to college and choosing a major with biology/medical sciences in mind.

b) Postgraduate studies are also going to be required if you choose to actively engage in the field of clinical genetics.  Most frequently, getting admission and graduating from a medical school is the best bet, after which specialization can be focused on genetic diseases.

 

3. What type of degrees are required to get a job in clinical genetics?

Clinical work with patients almost always requires an MD (or equivalent) degree awarded by a four-year medical school.  Usually, this is preceded by a four year bachelor's degree at an undergraduate college.

After completing the four-year medical program, an internship and residency program is frequently done with emphasis in the field of specialization (in this case, genetic medicine).  Fellowships can also be pursued in the respective fields after achieving consultant status.

However, genetic counseling and areas of research can be done by those with an MSc or PhD in the subject matter.

 

4. If you had not chosen clinical genetics what field would you have chosen?

That's a very interesting question.  Honestly, biomedical engineering also has a very special place in my heart.  It's also a progressive new area of medical science that is helping people in new ways every day.  Frequently, the fields even overlap!  If I won't do clinical genetics, then perhaps I would pursue biomedical engineering.

 

5. What have you learned about working in clinical genetics?

Like all clinical fields, it's very demanding work, but also very rewarding.  A sound knowledge of the subject matter, manual skill developed through experience, and interpersonal social skills required to interact with a wide variety of peoples are all needed to do the job right.  Genetic diseases can be of a very sensitive nature to people who are afflicted with them - and a compassionate touch is often necessary in order to relate with and console those in distress.

When I've worked with patients during my ward rotations, it is always a very satisfying feeling knowing you are doing your best to help others.

 

6. Why did you want to work in clinical genetics?

Well, the answer to this one is similar to my answer to the first question.  I love the fact that this is a relatively new field that is on the cutting edge of incorporating research into new modalities of the treatment of diseases that were once thought incurable.

I've also gained quite a bit of personal satisfaction from not only doing my part as a responsible citizen, but doing it in such a way that directly affects people's lives in the most personal way - helping them to get better.

 

7. Describe Klinefelter's syndrome?

It is a characteristic disorder in which the addition of an extra X sex chromosome (aneuploidy) takes place in the genetic makeup of an individual. The females possess an XXX chromosomal structure, while the males comprise XXY. This extra chromosome results in sexual deformity.

 

8. What do you mean by Parkinson's Disease?

It is a briefly described as the movement disorder. It results in the deformity of the central nervous system and habitually impairs the mental ability, motor skills, speech, and other functions of the sufferer.

 

9. How can you define 'Fruit fly Genetics'?

This field involves various techniques and experiments conducted on the fruit fly, to understand the genetic pattern of the fruit fly (Drosophila). It is the best organism to conduct a research on, for the genetic engineers.

 

10. Explain the concept behind Athletic genes.

Genes that are reported to affect the athletic performance of an individual are termed as the Athletic gene.

 

11.Explain gene doping.

The non-therapeutic utilization of genetic elements like the cells and the genes and the modulation of gene expression, in order to develop the athletic performance of a person is gene doping.

 

12.How can the genetic farming be advantageous for the farmers?

Genetic farming basically deals with the development of genetically modified seeds, plants and fertilizers in order to yield more harvest. It also involves the application of higher technology for improving the agricultural pattern. It simplifies the process of agriculture thereby resulting in the increase of profits.

 

13.Describe a few potential harms of genetic engineering?

The development of unsafe chemical products like insecticides, pesticide and various drugs, the involuntary elevation food toxicity levels due to the application of recent food preservation technology, environmental damage due to artificial breeding etc. are some of the visible negative effects of Genetics.

 

14.What are the characteristic traits of the stem cells?

Stem cells are the immature, embryonic cells found in the earlier stages of fetus development that are characterized by the capability to renew themselves in the process of mitotic cell division. After division, they can differentiate into a miscellaneous range of cells; in short they are totipotent cells.

 

15.What is sickle cell Anemia?

In this genetic disorder, the human RBCs loose their characteristic biconvex shape and distort to form a sickle like shape. This reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of these cells thereby, raising a fatal condition for the humans.