Introduction Genetic diseases disproportionately affect Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish communities. Thanks to modern screening tests, couples can now prevent passing genetic disorders to their children. But is genetic testing a Halachic requirement or just a medical option? Common Jewish Genetic Conditions 1. Tay-Sachs Disease 2. Cystic Fibrosis 3. BRCA Gene (Breast & Ovarian Cancer Risk) Genetic screening before marriage can identify carrier couples and help them make informed reproductive choices. Does Halacha Require Genetic Testing? 1. Many rabbis encourage it to prevent suffering. 2. Programs like Dor Yeshorim provide anonymous premarital genetic compatibility testing. 3. If both partners are carriers, PGT can help select healthy embryos. While genetic testing is not obligatory, it is strongly advised in cases where severe hereditary diseases are common.
