What can genetic testing inform a couple about regarding their future child?

Genetic testing can provide a wealth of information regarding the likelihood of passing on inherited genetic conditions or diseases to a future child. Through techniques such as carrier screening, potential parents can learn if they are carriers of specific genetic mutations that could lead to inherited disorders. For example, testing can reveal the risk of serious genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, or Tay-Sachs disease, especially if both parents are carriers of the same recessive gene. This insight can help couples make informed decisions about family planning, including the possibility of prenatal testing or in vitro fertilization with genetic screening.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect what genetic testing can determine. It does not provide insight into potential career paths or predict intelligence, as these traits are influenced by a combination of genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and personal choices. Additionally, while genetic traits can influence physical appearance in some ways, genetic testing cannot decisively reveal how a child will look, as physical attributes result from a complex interplay of multiple genes and environmental influences.