Why ask if DH or I are Jewish?

VivaAmore

In my OB paperwork, there is a long list of questions regarding ethnic backgrounds which I realize are purely to identify and look out for any genetic issues. Then it asks if either one of us is Jewish. Is this for the same thing or could it be related to circumsision? If the latter, why not just come out and ask our preference with regards to circumsision?

Just curious.

minnasmommy

I think it's for the same reason...genetic issues.?

KoriBrett

It's also for genetic issues.  I can't for the life of me remember which issues, but it's still for that.

eclaires

Genetic issues - can't remember what exactly it is, but there's a specific genetic issue they look for.

elm1032004

it's to see if you need to be screened for Tay sachs, which is very common among people of Jewish decent. 

mlm1128

There are at least 1-2 diseases that are very specific to people of "Jewish" ancestry.  I say it in quotes because being Jewish is actually a religion, but I digress.

DandR

is that offensive??? To be asked???  Because you are posting like you are offended (I could be reading the post wrong!!), and I am not understanding what would be offensive about it.

Sulla

Being Jewish can put you at risk for a bunch of genetic diseases. There's actually a set of blood tests called the "Jewish panel."

 https://www.questdiagnostics.com/hcp/topics/ashkenazi/ashkenazi.html

 But I've also been asked my religious affiliation every time I've had an operation/been hospitalized.

shouldbeworkin

If you're both of Ashkenazic descent, your DC's risks for certain diseases rises.  Tay Sachs, is one of the big ones, but there are quite a few they will test for.

happ17

Tay-Sachs? common among Jews of Eastern European descent. 

akaoct2005

Like the other posters said, it's for genetic reasons.  There are actually 12 (I  think) diseases that they can test for.  I tested positive for 3!!!  Thank goodness DH tested for 1, and it was different than the ones I tested positive for.  Most places only test for Tay Sachs and maybe one or 2 others, but I live in a big city w/a lot of Jewish people, so I think that's why all 12 are available to us.

VivaAmore

DandR:

is that offensive??? To be asked???  Because you are posting like you are offended (I could be reading the post wrong!!), and I am not understanding what would be offensive about it.

 

Oh no, no! NOT offended at all. Just surprised and curious since it came immediately after a question asking us to list all of our ethnic lines which I figured would have covered "Jewish" as an ethnic line. The only matter I could connect it to on the religious side was circumsision and I wondered why not just ask outright! 

LanaM

yep, what they said above. I actually tested positive for one defective gene, I am a carrier..... thank G-d DH's genes are all good.

I think they test for 10-12 different things...

 

divakat

It's for genetic issues like Tay Sachs.