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American Journal of Human Genetics logoLink to American Journal of Human Genetics
. 1976 Nov;28(6):550–558.

Tay-Sachs screening: social and psychological impact.

B Childs, L Gordis, M M Kaback, H H Kazazian Jr
PMCID: PMC1685180  PMID: 1032905

Abstract

Participants in two Tay-Sachs screening programs were generally satisifed with the organization of the tests and the results. There was no evidence of adverse impact on reproductive plans or interpersonal relations, and the respondents professed to believe in the value of screening. While the carriers discussed their condition freely with others and were no less favorable to the idea of screening than the noncarriers, about one-half of their number expressed discomfort in being told they were heterozygotes. These feelings were allayed by counseling, but there was evidence of some residual unease. It is suggested that this anxiety would be less prominent and more easily reduced if screening were done under conditions of ordinary primary medical care rather than outside the conventional system.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Beck E., Blaichman S., Scriver C. R., Clow C. L. Advocacy and compliance in genetic screening. Behavior of physicians and clients in a voluntary program of testing for the Tay-Sachs gene. N Engl J Med. 1974 Nov 28;291(22):1166–1170. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197411282912206. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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