Using the tools of the Internet and Silicon Valley, Counsyl built a simple prepregnancy test for both men and women -- dramatically reducing the cost of genetic disease testing for millions of Americans. Minorities are disproportionately affected by the conditions Counsyl tests for. The mission is to make genetic testing affordable to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic class.

 
 

The Campaign to End Preventable Genetic Disease

"I am a mother to two girls, one in heaven and one on Earth. The Counsyl test has such amazing potential to save another family from losing their precious child."

—Samantha Stack 
Mother of Gabriella, lost to SMA

Why A Campaign?

Everyone is supposed to be offered genetic testing before pregnancy. Doctors concur that it is the best way to protect your baby from incurable diseases like cystic fibrosis, SMA, Tay-Sachs, and sickle-cell disease. But few people know about how deadly these illnesses are — or how important it is to prevent them.

The Human Cost of Genetic Disease

Without preconception testing, genetic disease can strike like a bolt from the blue. Hear the story of Samantha Stack, a healthy 28 year old mother whose infant daughter died from spinal muscular atrophy. Read about courageous survivors like Anabel Stenzel and her lifelong struggle with cystic fibrosis. And learn about Brad and Vicki Margus, parents of two sons with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T).

The Need for Universal Testing

With testing, things can be different. Get inspired by stories of past successes, like the virtual eradication of Tay-Sachs diseasein the Jewish community and the international effort to reduce the frequency of beta-thalassemia in Cyprus, Iran, and Taiwan. Wecan end preventable genetic disease; all we need now is you.

Every Ounce of Prevention 
Enables a Pound of Cure

Prevention is important, but so is the search for treatments and cures. We believe that it is critically important to link prevention and treatment efforts in genetic disease, just like in the fight against AIDS and polio. Those who raise awareness for AIDS prevention are at the front of the line when it comes to funding research on antiretrovirals, and that's how it should be for genetic disease as well.

That's why as a small company in 2009 we gave more than $50,000 to nonprofits—and we plan to scale that number up significantly this year. There is nothing we would like to do more than make even bigger grants to academic and nonprofit groups searching for diagnoses, treatments, and cures. And the way to enable us to do that is to promote prevention, because each test you take allows us to fund research into cures and treatments for genetic disease.

Help Us End Needless Suffering

The Universal Genetic Test means that we can finally end preventable genetic disease. But we won't be able to do it alone. We need your help to tell friends, relatives, and loved ones of the dangers. A five minute test could save the life of your niece, your grandson, or your child. More...