How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
NYU Langone Medical Center's Dr. Harry Ostrer traveled to various colleges including Yeshiva University, Harvard University and Brandeis University earlier this month to provide genetic screening opportunities for students of Jewish descent.
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Dr. Harry Ostrer
Once tested, each student can learn if he carries a recessive gene susceptible to diseases like Tay-Sachs, cystic fibrosis and hemoglobin disorders. These results can determine the possibility of transferring a gene from carrier to child.
"It is a different model from waiting until the time of pregnancy and then learning that the person and her partner are at risk," Ostrer said. "It represents a form of reproductive choice."
David Rittberg, acting executive director of the Bronfman Center for Jewish Life said: "We are happy that the NYU Langone Medical Center is providing this important service to our community, both in terms of actual disease prevention as well as awareness."
Rittenberg added that "a high percentage of Jewish people that come from European descent are carriers of some of these diseases that can be fatal if passed along to their children."
Some students oppose participating in the study.
"Personally, I wouldn't want to know if nothing could be done about it," Tisch freshman Judy Teichman said. "It's sometimes hard because you find out that you're not a match for someone that you've spent a lot of time with, but it the end it's worth it for your child."
CAS freshman Michael Feder said students should test now.
"It's something most people should have done," Feder said. "It's good to know now especially since it's free. It can't harm you."
And Ostrer said screening is the best preventative option.
"People are still having children with these conditions because they do not get screened," Ostrer said. "Awareness about genetic screening leads to choice."
