Here at Team STG, we’re passionate about Jewish genetic carrier screening. I know it’s probably not at the top of anyone’s wedding planning to-do list – but if you and your partner think children might be in your future, it should be! A simple saliva test can go so far toward ensuring the two of you start the healthy family of your dreams – and while the process of getting screened can seem daunting and even scary, I promise it really isn’t!
That’s why we’re so excited to be sharing the following post from our friends at Jnetics, a UK-based charity that provides accessible carrier screening for some of the genetic diseases most common among Jewish populations. They’ve demystified the screening process from start to finish, so you can take the first step toward taking control of your future family’s health.
If you’re in the UK and planning to start a family within the next few years, read on to learn more about who they are, what they do, how you and your partner can get tested – and, most importantly, why you should.
“We recently got engaged and it was really important for us to have the screening test. Due to COVID-19, the test was conducted through Zoom and the test components were sent to our home address. The whole process was really easy, and we would recommend taking the test through Jnetics.” -Natalia and Daniel, recently engaged
What is Jnetics?
Jnetics is a UK-based charity that tests for life-threatening Jewish genetic disorders (JGDs). We are the only organisation dedicated to improving the management and prevention of these disorders in the UK. We focus on recessive genetic conditions that, although not exclusively Jewish, have a significant impact on the lives and well-being of Jewish people.
Our mission is to eliminate new cases of these devastating disorders from the Jewish community by providing accessible carrier screening to all young Jewish adults. Our hope is that genetic screening becomes standard practice, thereby erasing these conditions and saving a countless number of lives.
It is important that anyone who is planning on having children, either now or in the future, get screened in order to make informed health decisions that can prevent them from passing on a devastating genetic illness to their child.
“We were always aware of the importance of getting screened being both from an Ashkenazi heritage, and Jnetics made it easy, even in Covid-19 times! The team was really communicative and very quick at responding to emails, explaining the process, setting up zoom calls and organizing getting tested.” -Jodie and Yehudah, recently engaged
