Genetic carrier screening can help identify whether your egg donor or your partner carry a genetic condition that could be passed onto your children.
DNA contains two copies of every gene — one inherited from a mother, and one from a father. These genes sometimes pass on inherited conditions which are caused by changes in genes called mutations.
Egg Donation, Inc — notably not a medical facility — mind the carrier screening recommendations of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American College of Medical Genetics (ACOG/ACMG), and prefer our donors have the expanded carrier testing for 176 genes from the Foresight Carrier Screen (e.g., Counsyl).
Most people carry at least one mutation in a gene included in the Foresight Carrier Screen. This usually only becomes an issue if both your egg donor and your partner have a mutation in one copy of the same gene. When this happens, even though neither have any symptoms, there is a 1 in 4 chance for each pregnancy that your child will be affected by the condition associated with the gene.
Your clinic can then recommend further partner and diagnostic testing to determine if the pregnancy will be affected by the genetic condition.
As egg donors undergo genetic screening procedures in order to maximize the health of donor-conceived offspring, and in the era of genomic medicine, expanded genetic screening may be offered to donors for the purpose of avoiding transmission of harmful genetic mutations. Know your choices, understand your options, and talk with your physician about the different screening programs.
At EDI, we know these decisions are not easy. Our entire team, along with a genetic counselor, will work with your IVF clinic and physician to provide you with the information and support you need when growing your family.