Most people inherit one copy of each gene in their DNA from each of their parents. If an individual is born with one abnormal and one normal copy of a gene for a condition, they are considered to be a carrier and have the potential to pass that condition on to their future children if they reproduce with a person who is also a carrier for the same trait. Without genetic carrier testing, many potential egg donors would never know they can pass on a certain condition, since they do not suffer from that actual disease or have any symptoms.
Elevate Donors is an egg donor agency that helps women interested in becoming egg donors understand the importance of genetic carrier screening. All donors that meet the general requirements will also receive genetic carrier screening before a match can move forward with a specific set of intended parents.
Is Genetic Screening Required to Become an Egg Donor?
When a woman decides to donate her eggs to intended parents looking to build a family, they are giving the gift of hope. Because egg donors play such a huge role in intended parents’ egg donation journeys, they must meet many requirements before they are eligible to move forward with the egg retrieval process. Our egg donor agency complies with the requirements set forth by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), which shows that egg donors:
- Need to be between 20-30 years of age
- Must be physically and mentally well
- Should be comfortable with self-injections
- Must be committed to the egg donation journey
- Should have the desire to help intended parents achieve their dreams
- Need to have a healthy family history
- Must be able to make all appointments
- Should have an educated background
- Need to have a healthy BMI
- Need to have a Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) level within limits
- Need to have a suitable antral follicle count (AFC)
- Do not have a significant family history of cancer or mental illness
- Do not take medication for ADD or ADHD
- Need to pass a professional psychological evaluation
If you have any questions about these requirements, reach out to one of our team members at Elevate Donors today.
Why Does Genetic Carrier Screening Matter?
In addition to the requirements listed above, one of the most important aspects of the egg donor application process is to undergo genetic carrier screening. This type of testing is imperative. The ultimate goal of intended parents is to have a healthy baby. Genetic carrier screening allows IVF physicians to determine whether the genetic material from the egg donor combined with the sperm source will create increased risk for inheritable diseases or disorders.
Most people are carriers for a handful of traits. However, this does not mean you suffer from these particular diseases. It only means that if you were to reproduce with another person who is also a carrier for the same trait, then resulting offspring would have a much higher likelihood of actually having the disease.
When egg donors have a matching carrier trait with an intended parent, it is likely that the match will be canceled as the risk to potential offspring is considered too high.
However, there are a few instances where after meeting with a genetic counselor, some intended parents may still choose to move forward with the donor after understanding and accepting the increased risk.
If a match is canceled due to a genetic carrier match, that does not mean you can no longer donate. It only means that you can only be matched with a sperm source that does not share any of your carrier traits.
While finding out that a donor is positive for being the carrier of a disease does not mean they are unhealthy, it is still important information that should be considered by the intended parents they could be matched with.
Understand Your Genetic Carrier Screening Results With the Help of Elevate Donors
Our team at Elevate Donors is dedicated to helping all intended parents achieve their dreams of building a family. We understand how integral your role as an egg donor is to this journey and will treat you with care and respect through every stage of the donation. When it comes to genetic carrier screening, we are here to guide you and help match you with intended parents that are compatible with your unique results.
Our team of egg donation specialists will be with you throughout your entire egg donation journey to provide support and total case management. To learn more about egg donation with Elevate Donors, call us today at (323) 933-8918 or complete our contact form. We will go above and beyond to make sure all intended parents and egg donors are cared for.
