Approaches to the control and prevention of Tay-Sachs disease.

Abstract

A prototype Tay-Sachs disease prevention program is presented and di scussed. The program strategy, design, and methodology are reviewed and results and analyses of epidemiologic data, testing results, and in-prog ram evaluations of the testing method are given, along with overall program results. Psychosocial, genetic, and socioeconomic consideration s in the counseling of screenees and relatives of carriers are discussed. In the 1st year of the program, 11 couples, none of whom had previously had a Tay-Sachs child, were identified to be at risk for Tay-Sachs disease in their offspring.