JScreen.org: Saving Lives One Swab at a Time

 <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Melanie Hardy, the Director of Genetic Counseling Services for the JScreen program joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel.<br /><br />JScreen is a not-for-profit home education and carrier screening based out of Emory University that offers affordable at-home testing for individuals and families of Jewish descent who want to empower themselves with science-based knowledge to discover if they or their future children are at risk for Jewish genetic diseases such as Tay-Sachs, Cystic Fibrosis, or if they are at a higher risk of cancer. Unlike other screening programs, Jscreen, allows you to screen from the comfort of your own home.<br /><br />Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Melanie Hardy discuss the following:<br /><br />What is JScreen exactly? How did the service come to be called JScreen?<br /><br />How did it start – tell us about the couple that came to you in Atlanta and their story about their child and the inspiration behind JsScreen?<br /><br />How does it work for people who want to get Screened?<br /><br />Who helps you understand the results – is there a doctor or Genetic Counselor who talks to you about the screening?<br /><br />How long from when you order the tests until you receive results?<br /><br />How many tests can you get at one time and what are costs?<br /><br />I understand you just launched the CAncerGen service – tell us about this?<br /><br />Talk to us more about ReproGen, is that all or is there other types of screenings?<br /><br />Melanie Hardy is the Director of Genetic Counseling Services for the JScreen program. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Michigan State University in 1998 and followed with a 9-year career as a high school biology, chemistry and forensics teacher. She received a Master’s degree in Biology from Georgia Southern University in 2009 and a Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2011. She was certified by the Am