In most cases, no. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is a federal law that protects individuals from genetic discrimination in health insurance and in most places of employment. Under this law, it is illegal for health insurance companies to increase premiums, alter coverage, or deny coverage based on genetic testing results. Some members of the military and federal government are not covered under GINA but have similar protections. ‍GINA also makes it illegal for employers with 15 or more employees to consider your genetic testing results when making decisions about hiring, firing, or promoting. GINA does not apply to life insurance, long-term care insurance, and other types of insurance. ‍Please visit www.ginahelp.org and the National Human Genome Research Institute website for more information on the laws in your state.

Reproductive carrier screening is testing that helps determine an individual’s or couple’s risk of having a child with a genetic condition. It can provide you, your partner, and your doctor with valuable insights in planning for the health of your future children. jscreen provides access to a genetic testing panel that screens for over 260 conditions that are inherited in either an autosomal recessive or X-linked pattern. Autosomal recessive conditions: When two individuals are carriers for the same recessive disease, there is a 1 in 4 chance in each pregnancy that the baby will be affected with the genetic condition. X-linked conditions: A child may have symptoms if they inherit the disease-causing gene from only one (typically female) parent.

Carrier screening is a crucial tool in family planning, offering valuable insights into potential genetic risks for your future children. It empowers you with knowledge, allowing for informed decisions about your reproductive options. By identifying if you carry gene mutations for certain inherited disorders, you can better understand the likelihood of passing these conditions to your children. This information enables you to explore various family planning strategies, such as additional prenatal testing, in vitro fertilization with genetic testing of embryos, or preparation for managing a genetic condition. Ultimately, carrier screening provides peace of mind and the opportunity for proactive health management for your family.

Carrier screening is highly accurate, utilizing advanced genetic testing technologies. However, it's important to understand that no test is 100% perfect. The accuracy can vary slightly depending on the specific condition being tested and the method used. Most carrier screening tests have a detection rate of over 90% for the conditions they assess. False positives and false negatives, while rare, can occur. That's why genetic counseling is an integral part of the screening process, helping you understand the implications of your results. At jscreen, we use state-of-the-art testing methods and provide expert genetic counseling to ensure you receive the most accurate and comprehensive information possible.

Reproductive carrier screening is a specific type of genetic testing designed for individuals planning to have children. It identifies if you carry gene mutations for inherited disorders that could be passed on to your offspring. This screening typically covers a wide range of conditions, including those more common in certain ethnic groups. By testing both partners, it determines the risk of having a child with these genetic disorders. The results enable couples to make informed decisions about their reproductive options, such as prenatal testing, preimplantation genetic testing with IVF, or preparation for managing a potential genetic condition. It's a proactive step in ensuring the health of future generations.