JScreen at Emory University

The founders of JScreen at Emory University realized traditional genetic screening methods were not reaching enough people, either because they were not offered screening, didn’t know to pursue it, or couldn’t afford the cost. So they launched JScreen in 2013 and remain the only national nonprofit Jewish genetic screening initiative in the United States preventing Jewish genetic diseases through community education; affordable, at-home, saliva- based genetic carrier screening; and genetic counseling. 

JScreen partners with Jewish organizations, rabbis, college campuses, community leaders, and physicians to increase awareness of genetic risks and the availability of screening. Its tests are offered at live events or can be mailed to your home and shipped directly back to the lab. In 2017, JScreen expanded its panel from just over 100 diseases to test for more than 200 diseases, including those more frequently present in Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi Jews, and since its founding has screened more than 10,000 participants. JScreen’s goal is to make screening something that singles and couples automatically reach for before starting a family. The test is open to all individuals and couples. After the test, complimentary genetic counseling is provided by phone or videoconferencing to answer questions about results and help individuals and couples understand the test and process the emotions that are often involved in screening. JScreen is currently working on two more innovations: an at-home, low-cost BRCA (breast/ovarian cancer) genetic test for Ashkenazi Jews and JPatible, an open testing and genetic counseling partnership for the Orthodox community. Every day JScreen is saving lives, and it’s truly a mitzvah.