Many individuals carry genetic changes that do not affect their own personal health, but could potentially be passed on to children. Carrier blood testing screens for these inherited conditions, most often recessive disorders, by checking whether one or both partners carry the same specific gene mutation.
If both partners are carriers, there is a higher risk of passing the condition to their offspring. With this knowledge, patients can make informed reproductive decisions, including the option of testing embryos before pregnancy to help ensure the best chance for a healthy child.