Our in-house team of experienced genetic counselors have graduate degrees and clinical training in medical genetics and counseling. They handle client questions, donor screening, medical updates, and special testing requests.
Reasons to Contact our Genetic Counselors:
- To ask questions about a donor's Genetic Test Summary (GTS) or family medical history
- For assistance selecting a donor if you have a positive genetic test result or a family history of a particular genetic disorder
- To find out if CCB has received any updates about your donor's family medical history since he completed his profile
- To inform us if your donor-conceived child has any medical problems
- You need to request special testing on a donor
Contact our genetic counselors by calling 877-743-6384 from 8:00am to 5:00pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Donor Screening: Genetic Evaluation
The goal of our genetic evaluation is to reduce the risk for significant medical problems in the donor's offspring. If a donor applicant is considered to have an increased risk for having offspring with significant health problems, above the general population risks, he is disqualified from becoming a California Cryobank donor. PLEASE NOTE: There is a 3% - 4% chance that a child will be born with a health problem that cannot be predicted or tested for prior to pregnancy regardless of the screening performed, but we attempt to reduce the risks through these comprehensive evaluations:
Family Medical History
Our genetic counselors critically analyze donor applicants and their family medical histories during a genetic interview. Learn how this information is collected and reviewed.
View Donor Screening: Genetic Evaluation FAQs
Genetic Testing
Genetic Testing is performed on our donors to evaluate the risks for specific disorders in the donor's offspring. Our DNA Advantage Donors are screened for over 260 recessive conditions! Learn how this information can help you plan your pregnancy.
We strongly recommend that you download your donor's family Medical History and Genetic Test Summary (GTS) and discuss them with your personal healthcare providers before you ship your vials. Both items are available free of charge and can be found on your donor's profile page.
Donor Updates: What happens when new medical information is received about a donor or his offspring?
Our genetic counselors evaluate all medical issues and updates received about a donor's personal or family medical history or an offspring's medical history.
Donor Updates
All donors are asked to inform us of changes in their personal or family medical histories that occur after they have retired from our program so that we can make this available to clients and donor-conceived persons for their medical records. Clients are welcome to contact the Genetics Department to learn of any updates on their donor as they may want to include them as part of their child's medical records. Our team may also notify you about significant donor updates if the information could be relevant for management of your child's health.
Offspring Updates
All clients are asked to inform California Cryobank if their child or fetus has a significant medical problem. One of our genetic counselors creates a confidential report and reviews the information along with all other medical history for that donor to determine the appropriate management. You can report a medical problem by calling our genetic counselors at 877-732-6384 or online.
FAQs: Have questions related to genetics and our donor screening practices?
Read answers to some frequently asked questions about genetic testing, donor screening, and more.