LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3 The diagnosis of Tay-Sachs disease in a girl conceived with a donated egg in California has led to calls for a registry of egg and sperm donors.
In the case of the California girl, the egg donor was unaware at the time that she carried the gene for the disease, The Los Angeles Times reported. The egg was donated for a gay couple and the one who became the child's biological father was also a carrier.
The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology said that it plans to begin keeping records of donors and surrogate mothers to attempt to prevent future genetic tragedies.
Tay-Sachs, most common in Jews of Eastern European origin, is a degenerative disease that strikes in early childhood. Children with the disease usually die before the age of 5.
The donor worked with several agencies. Alexandra Gammelgard told the Times she believed that parents of other children conceived using her eggs should be notified that those children may be Tay-Sachs carriers.
Gammelgard's own daughter is being treated for Tay-Sachs.
Copyright 2008 by UPI
