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TEL AVIV — An oversight by Israel’s Health Ministry led to the exclusion of a genetic disease from the official list of conditions tested in state-funded prenatal genetic screenings, potentially impacting thousands of couples unaware of their carrier status, according to a KAN News report on Thursday.
Israel’s healthcare system provides free genetic screening for couples planning to have children, aiming to identify genetic mutations that could pose risks to a fetus.
Typically, the Health Ministry supplies a comprehensive list of diseases that genetic institutes must test for before pregnancy.
However, due to an administrative mistake, one specific disease was inadvertently left off this list, causing tests for the associated mutation to be omitted, the report revealed.
The unidentified disease is known to cause impairments in speech, cognition, and concentration if passed to offspring. The error was discovered by the Genetic Institute at Sheba Medical Center, which promptly alerted the Health Ministry.
The testing lapse affected screenings conducted between November 2024 and January 2025.
In response to the revelation, the Health Ministry acknowledged the mistake and issued a statement: “Out of the thousands of tests performed, 58 carriers were identified, but no couple was found in which both partners were carriers.”
This distinction is critical, as the risk of passing on the genetic disease significantly increases only if both partners are carriers of the mutation.
The ministry also emphasized that the mistake was limited to one mutation in a specific variant of the disease covered by the screenings.
To mitigate the oversight, the Health Ministry swiftly directed genetic laboratories in hospitals and health funds to amend the testing protocols.
Additionally, all samples collected during the affected period are now subject to retroactive testing to ensure no further discrepancies.
Healthcare professionals have raised concerns about the potential implications of the error, particularly for couples who may have already proceeded with pregnancy based on incomplete information.
While the ministry’s corrective actions aim to minimize the fallout, some experts argue that the incident highlights broader issues in the administration and communication of genetic testing protocols.
“This type of error, however rare, can significantly impact public trust in the healthcare system’s genetic screening programs,” commented Dr. Eli Barak, a geneticist at Tel Aviv University. “Transparency and timely rectification are essential in maintaining confidence.”
KAN News reported that the Health Ministry has launched an internal review to determine how the oversight occurred and to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The ministry also indicated that affected couples would be contacted directly and offered supplementary testing if necessary.
As Israel continues to expand its genetic screening capabilities, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the need for more rigorous checks and balances in the management of public health programs.
For now, the Health Ministry’s swift response may help alleviate concerns, but the full impact of the error remains to be seen.