Frequently Asked Questions

This disease panel is not an exclusive list of all the inherited diseases affecting people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. We recommend that Ashkenazi Jewish couples should also be tested for cystic fibrosis, as this is a common disorder among all Caucasians.

This panel identifies the most common disease-causing mutations in people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. These mutations account for more than 90% of all known Ashkenazi Jewish cases for these specific diseases (and higher than 98% for some of the diseases). However, there are less common mutations that can cause disease and will not be identified in this disease panel. Some of these other mutations also occur more frequently in other ethnicities.

This Jewish disease panel analyzes mutations in eleven different genes that are associated with ten diseases that occur more commonly in people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.

Both parents need to be tested to full understand the risks of disease for their children. This is particularly important if both parents are of Ashkenazi heritage, as each of these diseases are more common in those populations.

If both you and your partner carry a defective gene associated with a specific disease, there is a 25% chance that any children will inherit two defective copies of the gene and suffer from the disease symptoms. If only one parent carries a defective gene, the children may also be carriers but will not suffer from the disease.

The Jewish diseases tested in this panel are all inherited diseases. If one of your parents, grandparents or other ancestors suffered from one of these genetic diseases, it is possible that you have inherited the genetic mutation and may be at risk of the disease (if two defective genes have been inherited) and passing the defective gene to the next generation.

You can choose to receive your results report by mail, email or both. The test includes one copy of the results by mail and one copy by email at no charge. The results report is issued immediately once the testing is completed.

Yes, your results are 100% confidential. No one will be able to access your account or your results unless you give them your confidential account login. You can change the password to your account at any time. Please remember to safeguard your login information and not share it with anyone.

The DNA testing kit does not have an expiry date so you can use the kit at any time. Once the DNA sample is collected, the sample should be returned to the laboratory for testing within 3 months of the collection date. The DNA sample will remain stable for 3 months at room temperature after collection.

If your sample contains intact DNA, then a full DNA profile will be obtained. However, if your sample does not contain DNA or contains degraded DNA, then only a partial profile or no profile at all is obtained. Even if no profile is obtained, the cost still applies for each sample that is submitted.

No, there is no age limit for Jewish Disease DNA Test testing. The test can be performed on individuals at any age, even newborns. The sample is collected easily and discretely using buccal swabs.

The DNA collection kits can be shipped to any country in the world.

DNA testing begins immediately the day that your samples arrive at the laboratory and is completed within 5 to 7 business days. In some special situations, additional testing may be required, which could increase the turnaround time by a few extra days. You can check the status of your test online 24/7 using your secure account login. Your test report is released immediately once testing is complete.