Expanded Genetic Testing

Learn more about expanded genetic testing by watching this 4-minute video.

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DNA ADVANTAGE™ DONORS

Our DNA Advantage Donors have been tested for 260+ genetic conditions. This comprehensive genetic testing helps identify donors who are most suitable for you.

YOUR DONOR'S DNA IS ONLY A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE

Your DNA is also important to consider. All people carry mutations for autosomal recessive genetic conditions. (Believe it or not, it’s “normal” to carry mutations!) You’re not at risk to have a child with one of those conditions unless you and your donor both carry a mutation for the same condition.

DONOR'S TEST RESULTS

It’s important to view your donor's Genetic Test Summary (GTS) to understand which genetic conditions he was tested for and his results. Not all donors have been screened for the same conditions. Before you pick up or ship vials, we recommend reviewing your donor's GTS with your physician. You may also need to sign an acknowledgement.

See a sample of a Genetic Test Summary

View Example

YOUR TEST RESULTS

Expanded genetic testing is covered by most insurance plans. You may have already had it done. If not, we recommend speaking to your physician to see if testing is right for you. If you know you carry a mutation for a specific genetic condition and a donor was not screened for that condition, we may be able to do special testing on the donor.

Learn more about special testing

It’s easy to find a compatible DNA Advantage Donor when you know your carrier status and have the donor’s genetic test results at your fingertips!

View DNA Advantage Donors

Interested in genetic testing for yourself?

There are many companies that offer genetic testing and the choice is up to you. We recommend that you download your donor’s Genetic Test Summary and discuss your own testing needs with your doctor or genetic counselor who can help you select the test that is best for you.

VIAL ORDER PROCESS

Timing is everything! If you’d like to take advantage of expanded genetic testing, here’s a helpful guide to make sure your insemination happens on schedule.

1) Consult with your physician

Ask if genetic testing is right for you. If you have a partner that plans to use the same donor, ask if she should also get tested. (Allow at least 2-3 weeks to receive your results.)

2) Find a Donor

Use our Donor Search to select a donor. Log in to download the donor’s free Genetic Test Summary (GTS) & Medical History on his profile page. To avoid your donor selling out, you can secure vials now with the option to exchange your vial(s) for a different donor. Learn More

3) Review GTS with your physician

Discuss your donor's Genetic Test Summary (GTS) & Medical History with your physician to be sure the donor is suitable for you. This is also a good time for your physician to sign your Physician Authorization (A1 form).

4) Complete Forms

Before you can ship vials, you may need to complete a genetic acknowledgement form to document that you are aware of your donor's genetic test results and that you have discussed this information with your physician. Visit your donor's profile page to see if this acknowledgement is required for your donor.

5) Ship Vials

Call Client Services at 866-927-9622 to schedule your vial shipment or pickup. If you have not ordered vials yet, you may be able to order online. We recommend scheduling your vial shipment to arrive at your clinic at least 48 hours prior to your insemination.

Please note: Once vials are shipped or picked up, we cannot facilitate a Vial Buyback or Vial Exchange.

NEED A PHYSICIAN REFERRAL?

EXPANDED GENETIC TESTING FAQS

How does California Cryobank determine which genetic tests to perform on its donors?: We screen our donors for all conditions recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). If we determine that a new test will help us identify potential risks to donor offspring, we will add it to our screening process, as we did with the Expanded Genetic Testing panel. The testing performed on any individual donor varies depending upon when he entered our program, what tests were medically recommended and available at that time, and what special testing may have been requested by our clients.
What genetic screening is performed on DNA Advantage Donors?: DNA Advantage Donors have be screened for at least 260 conditions that are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Please review your donors Genetic Test Summary (GTS) to see specific testing performed on that donor.
Which lab do you use to test your DNA Advantage Donors?: We use Sema4 Genomics’ Expanded Carrier Screening panel for genetic screening for our DNA Advantage Donors.
I already had genetic screening by a different laboratory. Do I need to repeat testing using the same panel performed on my donor?: Not necessarily. Different genetic testing laboratories test for different disorders. Some of the conditions overlap, but others do not. Different labs may have different names for the same condition. We recommend that you download and review your donor's Genetic Test Summary (GTS) with your physician and genetic counselor to determine if the donor is suitable for your needs.
Can I request that my donor be tested for other genetic conditions?: Yes, special requests for genetic testing are accommodated whenever possible. If you have a family history or carry a mutation for a particular condition and there is a medical risk to your offspring, we will contact your donor and determine if he is available for additional testing. For more information, please contact our Genetics Department at 877-743-6384. Please see our Special Testing Information Sheet for more details.
How do I contact a genetic counselor?: We have an in-house team of genetic counselors who can answer questions about the testing performed on our donors. You may contact our Genetics Department at 877-743-6384 from 8am – 5pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, or you can email us.

If you’re interested in reviewing testing options for yourself or to discuss your own test results, you may locate a genetic counselor using the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ (NSGC) directory at: http://www.nsgc.org/p/cm/ld/fid=545

GENETIC QUESTIONS?

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