Diagnosis of genetic disease using recombinant DNA

Recombinant DNA technology promises to make an important contribution to the analysis and diagnosis of inherited human disease. Direct detection and analysis of various genetic defects at the DNA level are now possible using cloned gene or oligonucleotide probes. In addition, the use of restriction fragment length polymorphisms associated with linked DNA segments should permit not only the diagnosis of hitherto undetectable disease states but also the chromosomal localization of the loci responsible. The eventual isolation of disease loci should lead to a better understanding of the molecular basis of inherited disease.