Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia.  It is, currently, incurable, degenerative, and terminal.  Generally, Alzheimer's is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the less prevalent early onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier.

In the United States, there are currently 5.3 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, including their caregivers.  Over the next 40 years, with the expected aging of the U.S. population, Alzheimer's disease will exact a significant toll on the United States, both in terms of health care costs and number of people diagnosed with the disease.

A simple DNA test can evaluate your risk of an Alzheimer's diagnosis.  As mentioned above, today there is no cure for Alzheimer's but an Alzheimer's Association report demonstrates that small and perhaps more readily available treatments to delay the onset or slow the progression of the disease are available.  Small steps taken today may help to improve the quality of life of the person diagnosed with the disease as well as lessen the emotional and financial cost on the family.

It is estimated that Medicare costs are three times higher for the Alzheimer's patient and private health insurance premiums are 26% higher.  Having a DNA test performed by a private DNA collector, (as opposed to your insurance company's designated laboratory) will not impact your health insurance premiums as the report is confidential and only available to the participant.    I don't know about others, but lately I've received "informative pamphlets" from my private health insurance company regarding my health which is obviously based on blood work and/or prescriptions.  I pay them a monthly fee to keep my costs down, not to get involved in my private health issues.  I can't shake the feeling that someone (other than my doctor) is reading my private laboratory reports and compiling information about me that will somehow impact my future. (Perhaps I won't be allowed to live in a "assisted living faciltiy" or an "over 55 community" based on today's tests.)

If you participate in a private DNA test and the results indicate you carry a higher lifetime or genetic risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimers, it is certainly recommended that you  consult with your physician.  You have the option of letting your private health insurance know about your condition by limiting the tests your doctor orders.  Your physician can do an initial assessment of symptoms and determine whether you actually have the disease or it has not yet developed.  It is important to understand that a genetic risk does not necessarily mean the disease will fully develop in certain individuals.  There are significant environmental factors over which you do have control in order to either delay onset or avoid onset.    

Congress is currently reviewing an act to develop a federal plan to address the future impact of Alzheimer's disease on the U.S. population.  (H.R. 4689).  For more information, you can contact the National Alzheimer's Project Act via email at advocacy@alznj.org. 

Wow - it is the 3rd week of August and although we've been seeing those "back to school sales" since June - it really is just about back to school time.  I don't have to go back to school anymore, but I still can't stand those "back to school" commercials on TV.  Why do they have to remind me that my favorite time of the year, summer, is just about ending.  You can feel it at night - it's dark by 8pm, the pool is a degree cooler than last month, the mosquitoes are huge and even football has made an appearance on our TV.  Is life moving faster because it is all downhill after 40?  Who knows?  But here's a safety tip for parents, getting ready to move into "school mode". 

Along with yearly medical exams, dental visits, new school clothes or updated pieces of uniforms (if you're lucky) have a DNA Profile taken of your child instead of those inky, outdated fingerprints offered by local police stations at stranger danger days.  Unless it is a digitzed fingerprint - it is not as valuable as a DNA Profile, in the unfortuate event of a missing child or loved one.  Although having your child's DNA profile will not locate a missing child, it is an additional tool in your kit to help safeguard children.  Can anyone safely walk to school anymore? 

Many DNA collectors have partnered with their local dentists (www.oscarfgrobdmd.com) so that a simple DNA collection can be performed on the same day as your child's yearly dental appointment. A Child Safety Identification Profile is fast, painless (no needles) and priceless.  If your dentist does not have the newest technology to safeguard your child (DNA Child Safety Identification Profile) ask him to contact the local DNA collector or contact the local DNA collector yourself.  Many DNA collectors also offer discounts to groups of 10 or more - have a CSI Party at your home and let the DNA Lady create your child's unique DNA Profile and identifying documents in a party like atmosphere. The  hostess gets a free Child Safety Identification DNA Profile of one child (or more) depending on total number of participants. 

In the event, your child does go missing - don't wait - call 911 - there is no such thing as waiting 24 hours to report a missing child - gone are those days.  Your local authority will collect as much identifying information as possible about your missing loved one but they will not necessarily run a DNA sample.  Having a CSI Profile readily available arms them and you with today's most up to date technology for safeguarding children.  

Here are a few other actions that can be taken to generate awareness in the event a child or loved one goes missing: 

• Media attention will generate leads.
• Volunteers can organize many events that will keep the story in the hearts and minds of the public.
• Organize students who will distribute posters and flyers.
• Appearances on radio or television talk shows by parents (radio can be done in-studio by telephone, live or taped.)
• Radio stations all across the state can be asked to play your child’s favorite song or a song selected by parents, e.g., “Somewhere Out There” from “An American Tale” and have the song dedicated to the child.
• Hold a rally at the child’s school with music and prayers.
• Organize a benefit dance and/or auction.
• Contact area sports teams to include photos and story in their programs and possibly have a P.A. announcement made at games.
• Produce buttons or T-shirts with your child’s name.
• Dedication of a garden or a tree to the child.
• Hold a candlelight vigil indoors or outdoors.
• Bowling tournaments, marathons, etc. dedicated to your child.
• Contact banks or local businesses to dedicate a Christmas tree/lights to the child.
• Contact radio stations offering to do a telephone interview to remind people to keep watching and looking for the child.
• Have classmates do a letter writing campaign, writing to friends and families across the country telling about the missing child.
• Organize a human chain linking communities school to school, house to church, etc. Radio stations can help organize the crowd. Ask sports celebrities to participate.
• Public Service Announcements and appeals for help on radio and television.
• Mass release of helium filled balloons imprinted with child’s name, or with information about the missing child inside.

The above tips are taken from the Laura Recovery Center Manual.  One of the most important tips, is to take care of yourself - get sleep, eat properly and take help from neighbors, friends and family.  Keep a "visitor's log" of everyone who enters your home after the incident.  Get copies of local newspapers - from the day or week before the incident, the day of the incient and the week after the incident - this will give you an idea of any new workers in the area - road construction, home construction, utility vehicles, cable networks - they are possible witnesses as well as possible suspects.  Ask local utility companies to identify the days their representatives are in your neighborhood - again possible witnesses or suspects.   

An ounce of prevention today is worth a pound of cure tomorrow.  Teach your children to protect their own boundaries.  Reinforce to them to bring attention to themselves in the event that someone (anyone) is bothering them, talking to them, interfering with them, following them, threatening them.  Someone and anyone includes family members, neighbors, teammates, facebook buddy, school mates, strangers in cars, vans, carpools - people at sporting events, grocery stores, malls, block parties - the next door neighbor's visiting uncle, brother, grand parents - someone is anyone not necessarily a man in a tan raincoat these days and sadly teachers and educators are included in this lot. 

Having proper identifying documents (Child Safety Identification DNA Profile) and information readily available to distribute to your local authority and other centers (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) will help you feel you have done everything in your power to safeguard your children.

Happy Back to School Days (ugh.)

When adoptees (for lack of a kinder word) go in search of their biological parents, a DNA test may be a useful tool depending on what you're trying to accomplish.

If you have been lucky enough to find someone who you believe to be a biological relative, we have DNA tests and probability calculators to give you an idea of the value of evidence DNA testing can provide.  For example, if you are a female and find someone who is supposed to be your half sister (you shared one biological parent) and we can collect DNA from just you and the alleged half sibling, a DNA test could return limited support of about 90% probability of relatedness.  Although the 90% number is not enough evidence to be used in a legal process, if there were no "relatedness" the number would return at 0% - so at least you will have an idea of whether there is some biological matter shared between you and this "alleged half sibling" and you can move onto to other relatives in that siblings family line. 

Just to continue to give an adoptee more statistics on this subject, suppose you are female and you find a man who is the brother of your alleged father.  An avuncular test could return evidence with moderate support of 92% probability of relatedness.  And as has happened a number of times, I get phone calls from a woman who says that the father of her child is deceased but she wants to prove paternity.  We can collect the deceased alleged father's mother, father, sister or brother and provide evidence is support of the relationship.  It is a matter of testing as many of the available relatives as possible. 

The idea being, that whoever you find in your search for a biological relative, your local DNA collector probably has a test that can determine if there is a biological relationship between you.  Some DNA collectors offer biological reconstruction where up to 5 people are tested at one time and a biological family tree is created - if there is matching DNA among the 5 people.  You may find a loosely knit family with knowledge of family history but have never decided to confirm or research the stories.  DNA testing allows you to rule out rumors and confirm relatedness. 

On the other hand, if you have not been able to find biological family members and you just want to know what your ancestral map contains, Genealogy and Ancestral DNA tests are also offered by your local DNA collector.  Look for my blog entry that explains all 18 haplogroups of the world - do you know which one you may belong to?  Perhaps that's your starting point and from there you can seek out possible family members based on the haplogroup information.  An example would be if you are a man and your haplogroup returns as part of the Haplogroup B and Haplogroup I - then iit would make no sense to go testing people who are obviously from Haplogroup O.  An additional feature of the ancestry testing, is the ability to connect via email with possible genetic cousins/relatives.  People who are already in the database and those who may enter the database in the future.  You and the "biological relatives" have to authorize the connection, but as the database of ancestral researchers grow you are bound at some point to find a biological relative; however distant.

Some setbacks, if you are female - you can really only test your maternal ancestral heritage because you do not carry the Y-Chromosome of your paternal heritage - it is actually destroyed at conception.  However, a male can test for both his maternal and paternal lineage via Y-Chromosome and mtDNA testing because the male carries by Y and X chromosomes.  Keep in mind, ancestral DNA tests are not considered legally admissible in court for matters of Estates and Wills. 

Kinship Legal Guardianship (KLG) in New Jersey, is a process whereby a maternal or paternal relative of a child assumes long term care of the child as an alternative to adoption.  KLG does not necessarily terminate parental rights.  The biological parent maintains the right of consent to adoption or name change, pays child support and is entitled to visitation, usually supervised.  The child does not sacrifice any rights derived from the birth parent such as inheritance or insurance eligibility. 

KLG, is initially a permanent arrangement and not intended to be easily resolved.  However, KLG can be used as a temporary measure to allow biological parents to overcome incapacity to care for a child.  Most children want to be reunited with their parents.  However, as with all matters concerning children, and irrespective of the circumstances, the courts will rule in favor of what is best for the child based on "clear and convincing evidence".  If a parent, whose child was removed due to physical abuse, neglect, substance abuse, arrest, violence or any other misconduct, intends to pursue custody of their child, there has been a unanimous decision, affirmed by all seven justices and written by Justice John Wallace, that the burden of proof for terminating such KLG arrangements is with the moving party. (biological parent)

Who wins in these situations?  Children are negatively impacted with any interruption in home life.  Moving from a parent's home to a relative's home, no matter the circumstances, interferes with academic progress, social life and certainly emotional well being.  Readjusting to a new environment is difficult for anyone, imagine being a child and having to accomodate the adult world around you.  Having relatives argue over who is to care for a child, who is financially responsible for a child, who is equipped to best take care of the child, will leave the child with lifelong self esteem issues - the child's mind barely understands the conflict and only wants to be with their parent.  On the other hand, these angels (KLG) who step up to the responsibility of raising someone else's children are a large part of our population today and everyone involved in chiild welfare needs to support their efforts and sacrifices.  This is the next generation they are taking care of - the next biochemist, the next NASA engineer or the next President. 

One sad note, is the grand parent or aunt or uncle, who spends their time and energy to raise a "relative's" child, only to later find out that there is no real biological relationship.  If you have a doubt about the paternity of the child you are being asked to care for, call your local DNA collector to have a private DNA test performed.  If you have been given paperwork by the court, indicating you have custody of the child, you have the right and responsibility to get a DNA test to confirm you are indeed the biological grand parent, aunt, uncle, sister, brother etc., of the child.  And all children have the right to know their birth family and understand the truth about their birth. 

"The law must be consonant with life.  It cannot and should not ignore broad historical currents of history.  Mankind is possessed of no greater urge than to try to understand the age old questions: "Who Am I"? and "Why Am I"?  Even now the sands and ashes of the continents are being sifted to find where we made our first steps as man.  Religions of mankind often include ancestor worship in one way or another.  For many the future is blind without sight of the past.  Those emotions and anxieties that generate our thirst to know the past are not superficial and whimsical.  They are real and they are "good cause" under the laws of man and God."

Credit is surely due where such an eloquent and simple truth is summed in words we can all understand.  The above words are a quote from the Honorable Wade Weatherford, Circuit Court Judge in South Carolina.

The fact that DNA Tests are readily available today is self evident that DNA Tests are needed today.  Necessity is the mother of invention, right?  New moms and new dads should contact a local DNA collector so that follow up questions and/or concerns can be addressed without having to dial an anonymous toll free number and speak to an anonymous operator who knows little or cares little about the individual circumstances.  A private, community based DNA collector will remember your case, easily access your files and answer your questions about DNA testing.  Although profit is the motive for every business, there is the unique individual who is compassionate and may offer kind words or simple advice for families who find themselves in need of a DNA test.  There is also the case, when the relationship between the two parties deteriorates to the point of no communication and one of the parties did not maintain a copy of the DNA Test.  Having to sift through an anonymous toll free number's previously tested parties customer service line, is difficult and profitless so you'll get very little assistance.  Using a local DNA collector, you can go to their office, speak directly to the person who collected you and with proper identification obtain copies of your files. 

Most often, DNA Tests are used to confirm Paternity.  However, DNA tests can be used to confirm any kind of biological relationship  - grand paternity, silbings, aunts, uncles - always check with your local DNA collector for advice on the best test option available. 

There are grand parents support group meeting all over New Jersey and the country.  There are grand parent magazines offering advice on how to rear today's children.  No more putting kids in the backyard to play.  There are sadly, many grand parents finding out, after they have bonded with a child or two, that the child is not biologically related, that is, the grand parents may have been misled into thinking a child was their son's child.  A simple grand paternity test can be performed to prove the kinship and ease doubts about the relatedness of a child.  (By the way, as a local DNA collector, I often hear the voices of concerned grand parents and aunts, that a child has just been introduced into their family and they doubt or are concerned about the paternity).   As the Honorable Weatherford advises - eventually all children will want to know Who Am I and How Did I Get to Be Here?  Irrespective of the biological mother and father's relationship now or in the future, somewhere there should be a record of the circumstances of the birth.

Often, times the motive for DNA testing is to obtain child support, healthcare benefits, social security benefits or other financial assistance.  Whatever your motive, keep a record of the test along with other valuable identifying documents, such as birth certificates, vaccination records and insurance policies.  Some day the child will ask the question: Who Am I? and as simple as it may seem to  an adult - the knowledge is empowering and the truth is always relevant.     

If you receive a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review advising receipt of your appeal of a decision made by the USCIS you may wish to have an attorney represent you at the hearing.  However, your attorney or Accredited Representative must complete and file with the Board, specific forms and in a timely manner prior to a meeting with the board.

There are any number of reason why you may be declined by the USCIS or U.S. Embassies to sponsor a relative on the basis of a family visa.  The birth certificate, marriage certificates or other family identifying documents may be not have been filed in your country of origin in a timely manner.  There are cases where father's names are placed on birth certficates decades after the birth of a child, and the USCIS may question this practice or doubt the validity of the document.  You can expedite the proof of your relationship to a beneficiary in another country via a DNA test.  DNA tests are used to prove maternity, paternity, full siblings vs. half siblings and grand paternity.  Your local DNA collector can advise  you on what type of test to request to insure reliable and accurate results.  All DNA tests used for the purpose of immigration must be performed by an American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) accredited laboratory and original results are sent directly from the AABB accredited laboratory to the USCIS or U.S. Embassy offices.  The process may take several weeks or months and in your own best interest, you should work with your local DNA collector so that in the event  you need to follow up - you will be working with someone in your community - not another state or country. 

Within 15 days of receipt of notice from the Board of Immigration Appeals your attorney or Accredited Representative must complete a form EOIR-27 (Notice of Entry of appearance as Attorney or Representative before the Board).  If the forms are not filed in a timely manner, you will be considered as "pro se"  - that is representing yourself and all noticies and the Board's decisions will be sent only to you at the most recent address of record. 

Your appeal may be dismissed for a lack of jurisdiction, unless there is a clear indication that your attorney represents you, the petitioner, and you have authorized the appeal.  Only the petitioner (sponsor) may appeal the denial of a visa petition or a fine (except in limited circumstances of self petition battered spouse or widow).

The board will not recognize a Form G-28 (Notice of Entry of appearance as Attorney or Representative), which is used in proceedings before USCIS, and will not recognize a Form EOIR-28 (notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative before Immigration Court), which is used only in proceedings before an Immigration Judge. 

Additionally, if you change your address while your appeal is at the Board, you must file a Form EOIR-33/BIA Change of Address Form with the Board within 5 business days.  A copy of your change of address must be filed with the USCIS office that controls your file.

Use of an overnight courier service strongly recommended and encouraged to ensure timely filing and receipt of documents. 

In the world of pregnant women, there is so much information and knowledge to quickly absorb that we hope this blogs sheds some light.

Are you pregnant - get to a doctor.  If you have already done an Over the Counter Pregnancy tests and the results are positive - congratulations and call your OB/GYN.  If you do not have a regular OB/GYN who is familiar with your medical history, get a referral from your Primary Care Physician and find one because if you are old enough to get pregnant, you are old enough to be seen by an OB/GYN.  Regular OB/GYN visits should be a part of your own health care agenda as soon as you are sexually active.  There are Planned Parenthood clinics, women's wellness clinics and other healthcare agencies and hospital related clinics throughout the state and country able to educate you about the responsibilities and risks of being a sexually active woman.  God knows there are enough TV shows willing to delve into the subject of teen pregnancy, out of wedlock pregnancy, planned pregnancy, surrogate pregnancy etc.,  There is simply no excuse today, not to be seen by an OB/GYN, once you become sexually active.    

In this day and age, many young women have the benefit of planning pregnancies around their professional lives or that of there husbands/significant other.  If you happen to be one of these lucky women, you still need to know that there is a host of testing available in your first and second trimester that will offer you information about risks for chromosome abnormalities.  The risk for a fetal chromosome abnormality increases as women get older.  Pregnant women age 35 and older are often offered diagnostic testing through either a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or an amniocentesis (Amnio) to determie if their baby has a chromosome problem.  Women younger than 35 are routinely offered a blood test in the second trimester (Quad screen) to determine if their baby is at an icnreased risk for a chromosome abnormality.  In the last five years (this writing is as of 2010) there have been better developments in first trimester screening which offers detection rates for trisomy 18 and Down syndrome at least equivalent to the Quad screen.  First Trimester screening is also an accepted standard in over 50 countries.

It is at this same time, when you are doing the above chromosomal diagnostic testing that you can participate in a PreNatal Paternity Test.  If your doctor is planning on performing either the CVS or Amnio, you can call and schedule your local DNA collector to meet  you at your doctor's office on the same day.  The usual process is both mom and alleged father meet the DNA collector either on the day of the amnio or CVS or at a previously agreed upon date.  The first meeting is to exchange identification, collect mom's and alleged father's DNA, accept payment and sign consent forms.  The second meeting is then in the doctor's office (genetic counselor, OB/GYN, Perinatologists) where the procedure (Amnio or CVS) is performed by your doctor.  The DNA collector supplies the doctor with an additional sample tube so that the doctor can provide either amniotic fluid or tissue from the CVS.  It is very important that you understand the risks to yourself and your baby before having any of these tests performed. ASK YOUR DOCTOR ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RISKS INVOLVED AND  YOUR CONCERNS - WRITE YOUR QUESTIONS DOWN ON PAPER BEFORE YOU MEET WITH THE DOCTOR.  You can combine the appointments with the DNA Collection into one day at the doctor's office; however, your DNA collector willll need to speak to your doctor or his staff prior to the meeting.  Prenatal Paternity Test results are generally returned within 5 - 7 business days after receipt at laboratory.  Prenatal Paternity Tests are COLLECTED on Monday,  Tuesday or Wednesday only due to sensitivity and viability of the Prenatal Samples.

First trimester screening is a combination of a blood test with a special certified ultrasound exam performed when you are between 11 weeks and 13 weeks plus 6 days of pregnancy.  Downs Syndrome babies have an extra number 21 chromosome which occurs in about 1 in 800 live-born babies.  Trisomy 18, an extra number 18 chromosome, causes severe mental retardation and multiple birth defects.  Your blood is analyzed for two proteins called the free-Beta-hcG and PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma Protein-A).  The ultra sound test determines the gestational age (how many weeks are you pregnant) of the fetus and measures the amount of fluid between the baby's spine and the skin on the back of the neck, which is called the nuchal translucency.  The blood tests and the results from the NT ultrasound are combined to estimate risks of either Downs Syndrome or Trisomy 18.  It is important to understand that these are "screenings" and not "diagnostic" tests.   First trimester screening only provides you with a risk estimate - it does not confirm the presence of Downs syndrome or Trisomy 18.  Diagnostic testing such as the amnio or CVS will be offered to those individuals whose risk estimate is higher than the norm.  Genetic Counselors can provide possible reasons why a pregnancy was found to have an increased risk of chromosomal abnormality and will review your options about further diagnostic testing.  A trained genetic counselor will review your family history, medical history, pregnancy history and help you to interpret your own unique situation and offer choices that are right for your family.

The most important responsibility you have as a pregnant women is to find an OB/GYN you can work with, can communicate with and feel comfortable asking questions.  Irrespective of your relationship with the father of the child - as a women you carry the responsibility of taking care of yourself and your unborn child during these nine months.  If you need to confirm paternity, prior to the birth of your child, prenatal paternity tests are available and can help you to remove any lingering doubts and stress.  Most hospitals in New Jersey offer Maternal Fetal classes to educate you on what to expect during pregnancy.  These classes  allow you to view the maternity unit where you will give birth to your baby, offer classes to "big" sisters and brothers to give them an idea on how to welcome their new baby and instructions on how to breast feed.  Most of the classes are either free of charge or request a nominal fee but it is a good idea for new moms and dads to participate as the nurses, midwives, doublas and staff who offer these courses have lots of practice with new babies and new families and can help ease your questions.

In the world of pregnant women, there is so much information and knowledge to quickly absorb that we hope this blogs sheds some light.

Are you pregnant - get to a doctor.  If you have already done an Over the Counter Pregnancy tests and the results are positive - congratulations and call your OB/GYN.  If you do not have a regular OB/GYN who is familiar with your medical history, get a referral from your Primary Care Physician and find one because if you are old enough to get pregnant, you are old enough to be seen by an OB/GYN.  Regular OB/GYN visits should be a part of your own health care agenda as soon as you are sexually active.  There are Planned Parenthood clinics, women's wellness clinics and other healthcare agencies and hospital related clinics throughout the state and country able to educate you about the responsibilities and risks of being a sexually active woman.  God knows there are enough TV shows willing to delve into the subject of teen pregnancy, out of wedlock pregnancy, planned pregnancy, surrogate pregnancy etc.,  There is simply no excuse today, not to be seen by an OB/GYN, once you become sexually active.    

In this day and age, many young women have the benefit of planning pregnancies around their professional lives or that of there husbands/significant other.  If you happen to be one of these lucky women, you still need to know that there is a host of testing available in your first and second trimester that will offer you information about risks for chromosome abnormalities.  The risk for a fetal chromosome abnormality increases as women get older.  Pregnant women age 35 and older are often offered diagnostic testing through either a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or an amniocentesis (Amnio) to determie if their baby has a chromosome problem.  Women younger than 35 are routinely offered a blood test in the second trimester (Quad screen) to determine if their baby is at an icnreased risk for a chromosome abnormality.  In the last five years (this writing is as of 2010) there have been better developments in first trimester screening which offers detection rates for trisomy 18 and Down syndrome at least equivalent to the Quad screen.  First Trimester screening is also an accepted standard in over 50 countries.

It is at this same time, when you are doing the above chromosomal diagnostic testing that you can participate in a PreNatal Paternity Test.  If your doctor is planning on performing either the CVS or Amnio, you can call and schedule your local DNA collector to meet  you at your doctor's office on the same day.  The usual process is both mom and alleged father meet the DNA collector either on the day of the amnio or CVS or at a previously agreed upon date.  The first meeting is to exchange identification, collect mom's and alleged father's DNA, accept payment and sign consent forms.  The second meeting is then in the doctor's office (genetic counselor, OB/GYN, Perinatologists) where the procedure (Amnio or CVS) is performed by your doctor.  The DNA collector supplies the doctor with an additional sample tube so that the doctor can provide either amniotic fluid or tissue from the CVS.  It is very important that you understand the risks to yourself and your baby before having any of these tests performed. ASK YOUR DOCTOR ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RISKS INVOLVED AND  YOUR CONCERNS - WRITE YOUR QUESTIONS DOWN ON PAPER BEFORE YOU MEET WITH THE DOCTOR.  You can combine the meetings to one day at the doctor's office; however, your DNA collector willll need to speak to your doctor or his staff prior to the meeting.  Prenatal Paternity Test results are generally returned within 5 - 7 business days after receipt at laboratory.  Prenatal Paternity Tests are COLLECTED on Monday,  Tuesday or Wednesday only due to sensitivity and viability of the Prenatal Samples.

First trimester screening is a combination of a blood test with a special certified ultrasound exam performed when you are between 11 weeks and 13 weeks plus 6 days of pregnancy.  Downs Syndrome babies have an extra number 21 chromosome which occurs in about 1 in 800 live-born babies.  Trisomy 18, an extra number 18 chromosome, causes severe mental retardation and multiple birth defects.  Your blood is analyzed for two proteins called the free-Beta-hcG and PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma Protein-A).  The ultra sound test determines the gestational age (how many weeks are you pregnant) of the fetus and measure thea mount of fluid between teh baby's spine and the skin on the back of the neck, which is called the nuchal translucency.  The blood tests and the results from the NT ultrasound are combined to estimate risks of either Downs Syndrome or Trisomy 18.  It is important to understand that these are "screenings" and not "diagnostic" tests.   First trimester screening only provides you with a risk estimate - it does not confirm the presence of Downs syndrome or Trisomy 18.  Diagnostic testing such as the amnio or CVS will be offered to those individuals whose risk estimate is higher than the norm.  Genetic Counselors can provide possible reasons why a pregnancy was found to have an increased risk of chromosomal abnormality and will review your options about further diagnostic testing.  A trained genetic counselor will review your family history, medical history, pregnancy history and help you to interpret your own unique situation and offer choices that are right for your family.

The most important responsibility you have as a pregnant women is to find an OB/GYN you can work with, can communicate with and feel comfortable asking questions.  This is your baby and your pregnancy and irrespective of your relationship with the father of the child - as a women you carry the responsibility of taking care of yourself and your unborn child during these nine months.  If you need to confirm paternity, prior to the birth of your child, prenatal paternity tests are available and can help you to remove any lingering doubts and stress.  Most hospitals in New Jersey offer Maternal Fetal classes to educate you on what to expect during pregnancy, allows you to view the maternity unit where you will give birth to your baby, offers classes to "big" sisters and brothers to give them an idea on how to welcome their new baby and instructions on how to breast feed.  Most of the classes are either free of charge or request a nominal fee but it is a good idea for new moms and dads to participate as the nurses and staff who offer these courses have lots of practice with new babies and new families and can help ease your questions.

Say Thank You to a Military Family

Over 1.47 Million men and women are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces

Over 850,000 men and women are considered Reserve Personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces

Over 500,000 men and women are on active and reserve military duty deployed overseas and afloat.

How can we thank them for their service to our country and sacrifice to their families.  Without them, we would not have backyard BBQs, swimming pools and fireworks.

Are you of Irish Heritage?  Do you have the telltale freckles and red hair or black hair and blue eyes?  Do you call your Mother "ma" and your Father "da"?  If so, a recent article in a Dublin newspaper announced the Irish government plans to introduce a certificate of Irish heritage for the up to 70 million people of Irish descent around the world who do not qualify for citizenship.

Michael Martin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said he decided to proceed with the initiative, which was first approved last year by the Global Irish Economic Forum.  Leave it to the Irish to come up with such a revenue enhancement program.

The certificates will be issued by a third party agency acting under the licence from the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is considering charging a fee for each document issued.  The program is not designed to raise a significant amount of revenue and the price to be charged as yet to be determined. 

The exact size of such a market for heritage certificates is unknown but it is anticipated that  many Irish emigrants would wish to buy one to display in their homes or as a gift to another family member.  Irish heritage and/or ancestral origins can be determined by a simple DNA Test at your local DNA collector's office.  In addition to Paternity and other biological test confirmation, your local DNA collector also participates in today's growing hobby of genealogical tracing and ancestral root discovery via non-invasive DNA test. If you contact your local DNA collector, be sure to ask for your ancestral map along with your DNA test to confirm your Irish heritage. 

Some members of the Irish government were critical of the disconnection between Ireland and the members of the diaspora, particularly those unable to qualify for citizenship by virture of having a parent or grandparent born in Ireland.  The forum also highlighted the role that the emigrant network could play iin helping Ireland improves its economic fortunes and global competitive edge.  The Irish do know how to unite to benefit themselves.   

The Irish diaspora is not limited to Irish citizens living in Ireland and abroad but  instead should encompass all those who believe they are of Irish descent and feel a sense of affinity with Ireland.

Certificate processing will be available later this year, according to the Minister.  One incentive to participate in the certification process is to offer discounts to those holding the certificates while visiting Ireland as tourists.