Why does GSN ask about ethnic background?
The PGD for aneuploidy screening or Parental Support testing done by GSN is able to detect chromosome aneuploidy in all 24 chromosomes, but is not able to detect single gene disorders. Some single gene disorders are more common in specific ethnic backgrounds and screening for these disorders should be discussed with your doctor. For example, it is known that individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent are at a higher risk to be a carrier for Tay Sachs disease and Caucasian individuals are at a higher risk to be a carrier of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The genetic counselors at GSN may inquire about your ethnic background in order to suggest further discussion of specific carrier screening with your doctor.
