Get Screened

Get Screened2022-05-30T13:14:24+00:00

Affordable, accessible carrier screening

The Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics wants carrier screening to be accessible to all Jewish and interfaith couples in Illinois. Our convenient online, on-demand model allows most participants to complete the program from home.

Unfortunately, our carrier screening program is temporarily unavailable as our medical affiliate closed their doors in May 2022. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. While our program is temporarily unavailable, the following resources can provide information and carrier screening services.

For questions or to learn about other screening options, see our full list of screening resources or contact us at 312-357-4718 or GeneticScreening@juf.org.

Screening FAQs

What is carrier screening?2021-12-20T16:23:50+00:00

Carrier screening tests parents-to-be (either before or early in pregnancy) to determine a child’s risk of inheriting genetic disorders. 

Who should consider screening for Jewish genetic disorders?2022-03-21T18:31:49+00:00

Anyone with at least one parent, grandparent or great-grandparent of Ashkenazi heritage should consider genetic screening. Partners of people with Jewish ancestry should consider screening as well.

Although Jewish genetic disorders are more common among Ashkenazi Jews, no disorder is exclusive to the Jewish population. Screening provides valuable information for Jewish individuals with Jewish partners and with non-Jewish partners.

Persons with Sephardic Jewish heritage or other Jewish ethnic backgrounds should also consider expanded carrier screening that includes conditions more common among populations from their ancestors’ region of origin.

If your ancestors are from Northern Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East or Spain, please contact out counselor to discuss testing.

What if myself or my partner are of unknown, mixed, Sephardic or non-Jewish descent?2022-03-21T18:33:49+00:00

You should consider expanded carrier screening, such as the program offered by the Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics, because some genetic conditions are more common among those of Sephardic Jewish ancestry. These disorders vary by country of origin. If your ancestors are from Northern Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East or Spain, or are of unknown, mixed, or non-Jewish ancestry, please contact our counselor to discuss the most comprehensive testing.

Do both my partner and I need to get tested?2022-03-21T18:41:36+00:00

We recommend both partners consider screening to have the most accurate risk assessment for genetic conditions. Screening only one one partner still significantly reduces a couple’s shared risk, but provides a less complete picture.

That’s because, while our test is highly accurate, no genetic test has a 100% detection rate. Furthermore, there are conditions for which we do not or cannot test. Even if one partner screens negative for certain disorders, risks of genetic disorders can never be completely eliminated. 

Additionally, it is faster to screen both partners at the same time, rather than waiting for one partner’s results before starting the process a second time for the other partner.

What does screening involve?2022-03-21T18:55:29+00:00

The Sarnoff Center’s screening program uses Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), which is the most advanced form of testing available today and provides the most accurate detection rates. NGS screening requires either a blood or a saliva sample. Most participants in our screening program provide a saliva sample. In some cases, a participant may want or need to provide a blood sample instead.

If you get screened through your healthcare provider, keep in mind that different laboratories use different methods of sample collection and provide testing using different technologies. Most NGS panels include most, or all, of the Jewish genetic disorders, as well as a number of other pan-ethnic conditions. But, the type of testing and number of conditions that doctors order can vary. It’s important to tell your doctor about your (or your partner’s) Jewish ancestry and ask about the screening they order. 

Who should I talk to before getting screened?2022-03-21T18:58:18+00:00

We have a genetic counselor available to answer any questions you have about the process. Our genetic counselor also reviews every intake form prior to ordering the screening panel. Some people also discuss genetic conditions and preconception or prenatal carrier screening with their primary care doctor or OB/gyn, who can order genetic testing or refer you to a specialized provider.

When should I get screened?2022-03-21T18:59:48+00:00

We recommend screening prior to conception when possible. Testing takes about three weeks, so please factor this turnaround time into your plans.

If I am already pregnant, can I be screened through your program?2022-03-21T19:16:19+00:00

Yes, screening in the earlier stage of pregnancy is still possible. If you are currently pregnant, or learn you’re pregnant after you register for our program, please contact us to discus screening options. 

What conditions are included in the Sarnoff Center’s screening program?2022-04-19T14:13:05+00:00

Our screening panel tests for 260 recessive conditions, including 81 conditions more common among people with Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish ancestry. Our panel also includes an additional 21 X-linked conditions for women, including Fragile X syndrome. For a full list of conditions on the screening panel, see our genetic disorder database

If you have any questions or want to learn more about conditions on our screening panel, please contact us to speak to a genetic counselor.

Does the program screen for BRCA mutations or other cancer risk genes?2022-03-21T19:27:44+00:00

The Sarnoff Center does not offer screening for cancer predisposition genes at this time. We recommend those with a family history of breast, ovarian, colon or other cancers to meet with a genetic counselor and assess whether the cancer risk in their family is likely hereditary and to discuss genetic testing if appropriate.

I’ve already been screened for some genetic disorders. Can I still use the Sarnoff Center’s screening program?2022-03-21T19:31:45+00:00

If you have already completed our screening program, you may be eligible for re-screening, depending on the amount of time that has passed. If you received screening elsewhere, you may be eligible to participate in our screening program. The Sarnoff Center will determine your eligibility after reviewing your registration form. If you are not eligible for our screening program, we will contact you to discuss other screening options. Additionally, if you have any questions, you can contact us at any time. 

What if I’m a carrier of a genetic condition?2022-03-21T19:33:50+00:00

Carriers of a genetic condition typically do not develop the condition themselves, so there is no need for treatment. However, carriers can pass on the disease to their children.

For some recessive disorders, carriers may have mild symptoms. In these cases, a genetic counselor can provide guidance on potential health risks. In rare instances, carrier screening may reveal that a person has a less severe or late-onset form of a genetic disorder. In these cases, a genetic counselor and your doctor can help you navigate any next steps. 

What if only one of us gets tested, and comes back a carrier? Can the other one be screened?2021-12-20T17:50:41+00:00

Yes, the Sarnoff Center offers follow-up counseling and screening to the partners of carriers. If you or your partner is a carrier, our genetic counselor will review the counseling and screening options with you when they contact you with your results.

What if my partner and I are found to carry the same condition?2022-03-21T19:47:14+00:00

Carrier couples build healthy families every day. Based on your carrier status and at what stage of family planning you receive testing you have many options. A genetic counselor and/or your healthcare provider can provide personalized information so you can make the best choice for your family. If you need help identifying resources, please contact the Sarnoff Center. 

I have heard that I can order my own carrier screening online. Is that true?2022-03-21T19:40:51+00:00

Some companies now offer direct-to-consumer (DTC) carrier screening panels. This means that you order the testing yourself through their website, and results are released to you directly. Although it is an online process, our program is NOT direct-to-consumer because it includes an educational course and genetic counseling. Our genetic counselor will review your intake form prior to ordering your test and will call you with your results to ensure you can ask any questions.

The American College of Medical Genetics and the National Society of Genetic Counselors cautions consumers to consider several issues before pursuing direct-to-consumer testing. It is important for consumers to know exactly what testing is being ordered, if they are appropriate tests based on ethnicity and personal and family history, and what the tests will tell them. It is also important to note that genetic counseling is sometimes offered but usually not required through DTC testing. You should discuss this information with your doctor or a genetic counselor before pursuing such testing.

How is your screening program different than the one offered by Dor Yeshorim?2022-03-21T19:49:50+00:00

The Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics is not affiliated with Dor Yeshorim. We also follow a different model. Our screening process will provide detailed results of your genetic screening test while Dor Yeshorim is a confidential matching service that provides information about the genetic compatibility of two people but does not reveal individual screening results.

Using a screening service like ours may affect your eligibility to receive testing from Dor Yeshorim. Dor Yeshorim also has specific requirements around engagement or marital status while our services do not.

You can learn more about Dor Yeshorim by calling (718) 384-6060.

What if I don’t live in Illinois?2022-05-25T19:12:08+00:00

To be eligible for the Sarnoff Center’s carrier screening program, participants must reside in Illinois and have Jewish ancestry or be in a relationship with someone with Jewish ancestry. We’re happy to point you to several other local and national Jewish carrier screening resources.

Have questions or want more information? Contact us at (312) 357-4718 or geneticscreening@juf.org to speak with a staff member or our genetic counselor. You can also use the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ Find a Genetic Counselor tool to find a genetic counselor in your area.

Note: The resources on this page are provided as a convenience and the Sarnoff Center bears no responsibility for the content of these external sites.

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Genetic disorders on our screening panel

Browse a library of Jewish genetic disorders and other recessive and X-linked disorders, and learn more about each.

Search disorders
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Rabbinical perspective on genetic screening

Learn more about Judaism’s ethical questions and teachings around Jewish genetic screening, and related medical interventions.

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Jewish genetic disorders FAQs

Learn more about genetics and specific Jewish genetic recessive disorders—including those more common among Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews.

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