Ashkenazi Jewish Genetic Panel (AJGP)

Genetic tests can be done for anyone who wants to know whether he or she is a carrier of certain diseases. The Ashkenazi Jewish genetic panel (AJGP) shows the chance of having a child with a disease that is more common among people of Eastern European Jewish heritage. Anyone who is interested in knowing his or her carrier status can ask for the test, but a doctor must order it.

Genetic test results often raise Reference ethical, religious, or legal concerns. You should have Reference genetic counseling Opens New Window before making a decision about testing. Reference Genetic counselors Opens New Window are trained to explain the test and its possible results clearly. A genetic counselor can help you make well-informed decisions.

An AJGP may be recommended for people of Eastern European Jewish heritage, including:

• Partners of people with diseases on the test panel. For example, if one partner has Reference cystic fibrosis Opens New Window (CF) and the other partner has the CF gene change, a child will have a 50% chance of having CF.
• Couples planning to have children.
• Pregnant women (and their partners) who seek prenatal care, whether they have a history of genetic diseases or not.
• Adults with a positive family history of a disease that is on the test panel.

If only one member of a couple has Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, that person is tested first. If test results show that the person is a carrier of a genetic disease, then his or her partner also should be tested.

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