23. The Dor Yeshorim story: Community-based carrier screening for Tay-Sachs disease

Abstract

This chapter describes the community characteristics and dynamics, which are the context for the Dor Yeshorim program, along with the mechanics of the program. The 17-year history, its findings and accomplishments are summarized with interesting and surprising results. Genetics is fraught with difficult issues in terms of how and when to use its powerful capabilities. It is likely that the society will accept if it remains open to a wide diversity of ideas. Dor Yeshorim, the Committee for Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, began within the context of the Hasidic Jewish community, then expanded to the broader Orthodox Jewish communities of the metropolitan New York area, Dor Yeshorim program contributes to solution building. This program also serves as a successful model of “genetic compatibility” testing and is designed to meet the special needs of the Orthodox Jewish community. The Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish communities adhere to strict religious practices. They are health conscious, have strong beliefs about family and any program directed at serving these communities must accommodate these principles and practices.