While many of the diseases on the JScreen panel are more common in Jewish individuals (even those with only one Jewish grandparent), they are not exclusive to those with Jewish backgrounds.
For example, Tay-Sachs disease and Cystic Fibrosis are not only common in Ashkenazi Jews, but they are also prevalent in the French-Canadian population. People from other ethnicities could carry these diseases, as well.
If you are a carrier for any recessive disease, it is recommended that your partner gets tested, no matter his/her background.
Send us your question, and we’ll either post it anonymously on JWhat or reply in an email.
Send us your question, and we’ll either post it anonymously on JWhat or replay in an email.