MoU secures future of community genetics program

Wolper Jewish Hospital has secured the future of its Community Genetics Program through a new laboratory partnership with Virtus Diagnostics.

A memorandum of understanding has been finalised for Virtus Diagnostics to deliver testing for both the high school and preconception screening programs, ensuring the continuation of a program that has operated for more than 30 years.

Recent changes within NSW Health meant that continuing the existing arrangement would have resulted in significantly increased costs. Wolper sought an alternative that would preserve access and affordability, and said the new arrangement maintains testing costs at comparable levels.

The program’s high school and preconception screening have identified carriers of genetic conditions more prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews. Since its inception, no child affected by Tay Sachs disease has been born to individuals who participated in Wolper’s genetic screening program.

The program will initially continue largely in its current form, with free testing offered to Year 11 students at Moriah College, Emanuel School, Masada College, Kesser Torah and Reddam House, as well as to individuals and couples considering starting a family. Wolper said the new arrangements are expected to facilitate expansion of the program over time.