Carrier screening as a test for genetic disorders

Did you know that nowadays you can undergo a carrier screening test to determine whether you are the bearer of a genetic disease? At PGD Labs, with this test we provide you with all the information you need in relation to the risks and chances of having a child with a genetic disease.

We all carry two equal genes – one from the mother and one from the father. However, one copy of a gene may experience a modification – called mutation – which leads to its malfunction, which is then transmitted to the child. Carriers may have no health issues related to this mutated gene; however, their children may be born with a genetic disorder.

There is a 25% chance for the baby to have a genetic disease if both parents are carriers of the gene, and a 50% chance for the child to be a bearer of the disorder

Am I a carrier? This is a common question among people planning to have a child who either have a family history of genetic disorders or are at high risk of being carriers due to their ethnicity. The fragile X syndrome, the Tay-Sachs disease and cystic fibrosis are some of the diseases that could be diagnosed with this test.

Am I a carrier? This is a common question among people planning to have a child who either have a family history of genetic disorders or are at high risk of being carriers due to their ethnicity. The fragile X syndrome, the Tay-Sachs disease and cystic fibrosis are some of the diseases that could be diagnosed with this test.

How is the carrier screening performed?

• A blood, saliva or inner cheek tissue sample taken before starting the IVF cycle will suffice to know whether either parent carries a recessive gene. These samples need to be taken from the couple and other family members.
• As specialists in providing support to Fertility Clinics, at PGD Labs we prepare a full report with the results once the analysis is completed.
• The purpose of the genetic tests that we perform in our laboratory is to analyze the cells obtained from the embryo and determine which carry the genetic disease, usually with an approximately 98% precision. This analysis is called Sanger Sequencing.
• We will send the healthy embryos that are not at risk of suffering a genetic disorder to the assisted reproduction unit.

Do you want to undergo a carrier screening test? Contact our PGD Labs professionals and we will inform you about all the details related to this type of test and how it should be performed. You can call us at 965 969 38 400, or send us an e-mail at info@pgdlabs.com.