1. Get Tested Early
If there is a history of Huntington's disease in your family, it pays to find out if you carry it in your genes before having children. Huntington's disease is caused by a single gene, so if only one parent has the condition, then a child's chances of carrying it are 50 percent. If you don't have the gene, you can't pass it on to your children, and the line will end there. A blood test can spot the gene before any symptoms appear and let you know if any future children run the risk of carrying the condition.
2. Consider In-Vitro Fertilization
In-vitro fertilization involves the removal of the eggs from the mother's ovaries, which are then combined with the sperm externally and placed back in the uterus once fertilization has occurred. In cases involving Huntington's disease, the doctor can screen the embryos before implantation to determine if any of them carry the Huntington gene. The ones that don't can then be implanted safely.
3. Look Into Donor Insemination or a Surrogate Mother
Couples who are medically incapable of bearing children sometimes use surrogates, and those with a genetic history of Huntington's disease can do the same. If the father carries the genes, consider donor insemination, in which sperm from another man is inserted via syringe into the mother's uterus or vaginal canal. If the mother has the gene, a surrogate mother can carry the baby to term in her uterus and give the child to the couple after giving birth. Surrogate motherhood is usually more complicated and expensive than donor insemination, because of the time and effort required by the surrogate. But both are common procedures and solid legal precedents are in place to ensure that the issue of custody remains clear.
4. Adopt a Child
Adopting is a very straightforward option that avoids the possibility of passing on the Huntington's disease gene. Babies all over the world are in need of a good home, and numerous agencies exist to facilitate the process. Doctors, church groups and social organizations can point you towards qualified adoption groups. The legal process may be complicated, however, as can the screening to determine which child may be right for you. You will probably want to retain an attorney during the adoption to ensure that your rights are protected.
