Ashkenazi Jewish Genetic Panel (AJGP)

What Is an Ashkenazi Jewish Genetic Panel (AJGP)?

An Ashkenazi Jewish genetic panel (AJGP) is a blood test that looks for genetic diseases that occur more often in people of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish heritage. These diseases do not just affect people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage but are more common in this group of people. Other racial and ethnic groups have genetic diseases that are more common in their group.

An AJGP test tells parents if they have an increased chance of having a child with certain genetic diseases. Anyone who is interested in knowing his or her carrier status can ask for the test, but a doctor must order the test. You do not have to be tested for every disease in the panel, and different labs have different tests in the panel.

Genetic testing for all of the conditions in the panel may not be available in your area. Testing for conditions such as cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs disease is widely available, but you may need to travel to a medical centre elsewhere in Canada or the United States for specialized testing for rare conditions.

Talk to your doctor about which diseases are important for your family. Genetic counselling to help you understand the meaning and results of the test is recommended before you have this genetic test.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: October 12, 2006
Medical Review:	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics Renee H. Martin, PhD - Medical Genetics
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