Ashkenazi Jewish Genetic Panel (AJGP)

What If I Am a Carrier?

It is more common to be a carrier of a genetic disease, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), than to have the disease. If tests show that you are a carrier of a disease, your partner should also be tested. Both parents must be carriers of a disease for a child to have the disease.

The tests are not 100% accurate, so a person may test negative and yet be a carrier. If you are a carrier and your partner tests negative, there is still a very small chance that you will have a child with the disease.¹

If you and your partner are both carriers of a genetic disease, there is a 1-in-4 (25%) chance that your child will have the disease.

• If you are not already pregnant, you may wish to have genetic counseling to understand your risks and options if you decide to have children.
• If you are already pregnant, you may wish to have tests, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, to help find out whether your baby has a disease.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: May 29, 2006
Medical Review:	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.