Options+for+Couples

=Once a couple knows that they are at risk of having a child with cystic fibrosis, they can take steps to ensure that they do not have (additional) children with the disease.=

How can I find out if my partner and I are at risk of having a CF child?
You can find out through genetics testing. In a genetics test, a blood sample is sent off to a lab and analyzed. Through this, you can find out if you are a carrier of a host of genetic diseases, including cystic fibrosis. Speak to a doctor if you are interested in genetic testing. Also, looking carefully at family history can give you an idea of your chances of carrying a genetic disease (see the "Inheritance" page for further details).

What can are my options if I know my partner and I are at risk for having children with cystic fibrosis?
You have several options: If you are considering abortion or embryo screening, consult a doctor for more concrete information pertaining to your specific case. //**AN IMPORTANT NOTE:** Do **not ever** attempt to give yourself an abortion. Abortion is **extremely dangerous** if not performed by a doctor.//
 * **Not Having Children:﻿ ** You and your partner may chose not to have children, because you do not want to have a cystic fibrosis child.
 * **Embryo Screening:** This is a process in which the couple's gametes (the woman's eggs and the man's sperm) are analyzed to see if they contain an allele for the genetic disease (in this case, cystic fibrosis). After the egg and sperm are removed and analyzed, two that do not have alleles for CF are combined and placed inside the woman. Some people feel that this is morally wrong, because the eggs and sperm that would create a cystic fibrosis baby are discarded. Others see no problem with this.
 * **Abortion:** After a woman is pregnant, tests can be done to see if the baby she is carrying has a genetic disease. If the baby does have the disease, some couples chose to terminate the pregnancy. Some also see a moral problem with this, while others think that aborting fetuses with genetic disorders is acceptable. However, it is important to keep in mind that cystic fibrosis is not a terminal illness and can be treated, so abortion may not be the a good option in this case.