In every ethnic, demographic, or racial group, there are certain inherited disorders that occur more frequently than in the general population. Such is the case for Ashkenazi Jewish individuals whose ancestors lived in Central or Eastern Europe. If you and/or your spouse are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, you have the opportunity to be screened for inherited life-threatening diseases that are more prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews.

To encourage dialogue with patients about pre-pregnancy and prenatal genetic carrier screening, the Genetic Disease Foundation developed office display posters which it is providing free of charge to doctors offices and medical centers. 

The poster, “One Test, Many Answers”:

• Explains briefly why genetic carrier screening is done and that some people may be at higher risk than others for carrying gene abnormalities that can result in serious illness in children.
• Lists the most current recessive genetic diseases for which prenatal carrier screening is available for individuals of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish ancestry.
• Encourages patients to talk to their doctor or Certified Genetic Counselor regarding screening.

The posters were mailed to more than 40,000 members of American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and members of the National Association of Genetic Counselors (NAGC) as part of GDF’s Know Your Genes campaign, which was developed to help people better understand genetics and how to benefit from recent advances.

ACOG and the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) offer specific recommendations for pre-conception and prenatal carrier screening for individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Download the Preconception Care guide (PDF) for more information.
 
Posters are available upon request. Please call 212-659-6704 for more information.

Testing Availability

Screening for any of the diseases can be performed individually at many labs throughout the US as well as outside the US. The Genetic Diagnostic Laboratory of Mount Sinai School of Medicine can do screening with one blood sample, as well as select diseases.

Contact Information

For patient testing call The Jewish Genetic Disease Screening Program of Mount Sinai School of Medicine at 212-241-6947 or contact any of the other major US laboratories performing carrier testing for Jewish Genetic Diseases.