Family planning - please consider having a carrier test for genetic blood disorders

Around 1 in 20 people worldwide are thought to have inherited an altered globin gene, which they could pass on to their children. This may potentially result in a genetic blood disorder, affecting haemoglobin production. Haemoglobin is a protein in the blood that carries oxygen around our bodies. These inherited blood disorders are passed from parent to child in genes.

If you are a carrier of an altered globin gene, your partner must have a blood test to determine his or her carrier status.