Fore Genomics Common Questions (FAQs)

A genetic test analyzes your child’s DNA to identify potential risks for certain health conditions.

Fore’s genetic health screen is a type of genetic testing designed to identify risks early. Unlike diagnostic testing, which confirms a condition, Fore’s genetic health screen helps identify areas where additional monitoring, prevention, or follow-up may be beneficial.

Fore’s genetic health screen is designed for healthy newborns and children whose parents want more insight into their child’s health.

If your child already has symptoms or a known condition, please email our support team at support@foregenomics.com assistance.

Fore’s genetic health screen can be used for newborns and children of all ages, but many parents choose to test early.

Early screening can help identify certain risks sooner—when intervention or monitoring may have the greatest impact.

Fore utilizes cutting-edge technology to sequence your child’s full genome (100% of their DNA) and examine it for hundreds of medically significant conditions. But it's not just a test; Fore offers a comprehensive care service. This service includes access to genetic counselors, medical specialists, and care navigators who are there to assist you in comprehending the results, leveraging the insights effectively, and determining the best course of action moving forward.

There exists a multitude of genetic conditions that may manifest in childhood or adulthood, varying in their treatability. Fore’s screen specifically targets detectable genetic alterations associated with treatable childhood-onset conditions. We screen for hundreds rare pediatric-onset conditions, where identifying an elevated risk could significantly alter the child's medical care. This encompasses a range of disorders, including blood disorders, neurological conditions, metabolic disorders, immune system impairments, endocrine disorders, and more. Fore is designed as a screening tool for apparently healthy infants and children. If you have concerns about your child's health and seek a genetic diagnosis, kindly reach out to us for further guidance.

Newborn screening is a public health initiative conducted at the state level to identify certain serious conditions in babies that are manageable when detected early in infancy, usually within the first 1 to 2months of life. While a national committee offers guidance on potential conditions to screen for, each state autonomously determines the specific conditions included in its newborn screening panel. Presently, states screen for anywhere from 30 to 70 conditions. Fore is intended to complement routine state newborn screening protocols.

For many parents, the value comes from clarity and early awareness.

Fore’s genetic health screen provides insights that may help guide care decisions earlier in life when they can have the greatest impact.

Whether it’s right for your family depends on your preferences, but many parents choose screening to be proactive rather than reactive.

No. Insurance doesn’t typically cover whole genome sequencing for healthy newborns. Fore has partnered with payment solutions providers to allow use of HSA and FSA funds at checkout.

Many genetic conditions are not visible at birth and may not show symptoms right away.

Screening early can help:

Identify risks before symptoms appear
Enable earlier care or monitoring
Give you and your pediatrician more information to guide your child’s health

Even without a family history, some conditions can still be present due to silent inheritance or new genetic changes.

Carrier screening detects genetic diseases that require both parents to be carriers to have an affected child (autosomal recessive), or where the mother may be a carrier and has an increased risk of having an affected son (X-linked recessive). The range of conditions screened for varies between testing labs, from a few to hundreds. Usually, these conditions are chosen based on their frequency and severity rather than their treatability. Testing can occur before conception or during pregnancy. Fore's service focuses on the baby and occurs after birth and is designed to grow as your child ages.

We provide a detailed clinical action plan and connect you with board-certified Genetic Counselors to help you take the next step.

If you have placed your order, but have not submitted a sample, you are eligible for a 100% refund for one year starting from the date of purchase. Once you have submitted a sample, you are no longer eligible for any refund.

You can expect to receive the collection kit within 1-2weeks of purchase after the physician has authorized the screening.

No, family history is indeed a crucial factor in assessing risk, but it doesn't provide the complete picture. Many genetic conditions are inherited unknowingly within families. Some are transmitted silently through carriers who show no symptoms (unaffected carriers) and pass on a single genetic alteration for the condition. For a child to be affected, both parents must be carriers, yet since most families are unaware of carrying such conditions, they remain "hidden," lacking any apparent family history. Moreover, certain conditions, known as X-linked disorders, predominantly manifest in males rather than females. In such cases, the mother may be an unaffected carrier, and several generations of unaffected carrier females may precede the birth of an affected male, masking any evident family history. Lastly, genetic conditions can emerge in a family due to new genetic variations occurring spontaneously in the egg or sperm that form the child. These alterations are spontaneous and not linked to any familial history of the condition.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a type of genetic analysis that reads nearly all of your child’s DNA, giving a comprehensive view of their genetic information.

At Fore Genomics, we use this technology to identify genetic changes linked to conditions on our screening list, helping families understand potential health risks early and take proactive steps.

Because your child’s full genome is securely sequenced and stored, it can also be reanalyzed over time as new scientific discoveries are made.

Fore’s genetic health screen looks for genetic changes linked to a carefully selected set of conditions that often begin in childhood and are medically actionable, meaning early awareness may help guide monitoring, care, or treatment decisions.

It includes:

1,000+ genetic conditions across areas such as metabolic, neurological, immune, and endocrine health
100+ medication sensitivities (pharmacogenomics), which may help predict how your child responds to certain medications and support safer, more effective treatment choices

Fore’s genetic health screen identifies whether your child has a genetic risk for certain childhood-onset conditions.

This information helps families and doctors make more informed decisions about preventive care, monitoring, and next steps.

This information helps guide:

Preventive care
Monitoring over time
Conversations with your pediatrician or specialists

Fore’s genetic health screen does not diagnose conditions or predict everything about your child’s future health.

It does not:

Detect all possible genetic conditions
Tell you with certainty whether a condition will or will not develop
Replace an evaluation from your pediatrician or another healthcare provide

Genetics is one important part of your child’s health, but it is not the whole picture. Environment, lifestyle, and other medical factors also play a role.

The parent or legal guardian of the child to be screened can order from Fore’s website. No doctor visit is necessary, Fore’s physicians will review the order and authorize if it meets eligibility requirements. Once authorized, a DNA collection kit will ship to the address provided.

After you complete your purchase and go through our enrollment process, we will send you an easy-to-use saliva collection kit. You will also receive a pre-paid envelope to send the sample to the lab.

Most genetic tests for children look at only part of a child’s DNA or focus on a smaller set of conditions.

Fore’s genetic health screen uses whole genome sequencing to capture your child’s full DNA, then analyzes a curated set of genes associated with conditions on our screening list, focusing on those where early awareness may impact care

In addition to broader screening, Fore also provides:

Medication sensitivity insights (pharmacogenomics), which may help show how your child responds to certain medications
Access to genetic counselors and care support to help you understand results and next steps

This approach is designed to give families more comprehensive information, along with support in understanding what the results may mean for their child’s health.

Your genetic counselor is available both before and after testing to help you understand the benefits and limitations of testing. Your genetic counselor will also inform and educate you about your child’s results and recommended next steps. Genetic Counselors are also available to support your pediatrician by helping to interpret results and identifying specialists if needed.

Fore’s team of experts have selected genes associated with pediatric-onset conditions that are clinically actionable. Learning that your child has an increased risk for one of these conditions allows you to access the right care as soon as possible.

Results are typically available in about four weeks after your child’s saliva sample is received by the lab. Fore’s genetic counselors are available to meet after you receive your results.

Genetic testing is highly accurate, but no test is 100%perfect. Fore may recommend follow-up testing or an exam with a specialist to confirm your child’s result. There could be a situation where a result indicates an increased risk for a specific condition, but follow-up diagnostic testing confirms your child doesn’t have that condition. This is referred to as a “false-positive” report. Though uncommon, there are instances where a result indicates no increased risk was found, but follow-up testing confirmed a diagnosis. This is referred to as a “false-negative” report.

Tests like 23andMe and Ancestry are mainly designed to provide ancestry information and general wellness insights.

Fore’s genetic health screen is different because it is focused on your child’s health. It looks for genetic changes linked to childhood-onset conditions where early awareness can help guide monitoring, care, or treatment.

It also includes medication sensitivity insights (pharmacogenomics) and access to genetic counselors and care support to help families understand results and next steps.

No. Fore does not replace state newborn screening. It is designed to complement it.

State newborn screening checks for a limited number of serious conditions shortly after birth. Fore’s genetic health screen looks at a much broader set of genetic risks, including over 1,000 childhood-onset conditions.

Together, they can give families more complete information about their child’s health.

Newborn screening is an important public health program, but it only tests for a limited number of conditions.

Fore’s genetic health screen looks at a much broader set of conditions, many of which are not included in standard newborn screening, helping provide a more comprehensive view of your child’s potential health risks.

No. Fore is a screening test, not a diagnostic test.

It can identify possible genetic risks, but it cannot diagnose a condition on its own.

If a result suggests your child may be at risk for a condition, follow-up testing may be recommended to confirm whether the condition is present.

If your child’s lab results indicate an increased risk for one of the conditions our team will assist you in locating the right specialists to ensure that your child receives the best possible care as early as possible.

Carrier screening: A test for parents before or during pregnancy that shows whether they may carry genetic changes they could pass on to a child. It does not test the child directly.

NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing): A pregnancy screening test that uses a blood sample from the mother to look for a small number of chromosomal conditions in the fetus. It is not a full genetic health screen for the child.

State newborn screening: A routine test done shortly after birth that checks for a limited number of serious conditions that benefit from early treatment. It is an important standard screening, but it does not look as broadly as whole genome sequencing.

Consumer DNA tests: Tests like 23andMe or Ancestry that are mainly designed for ancestry, traits, or general wellness information rather than pediatric medical screening.

Diagnostic genetic testing: A medical test typically ordered when a child has symptoms, developmental concerns, or a known health issue and a doctor is looking to confirm or rule out a specific diagnosis. Fore is a screening test, not a diagnostic test.

Fore’s genetic health screen: A screening test for healthy children that uses whole genome sequencing to look for genetic changes linked to childhood-onset conditions on Fore’s screening list, along with medication sensitivities (pharmacogenomics). It is designed to complement—not replace—other types of testing.

After you place your order, we will ask for your pediatrician’s information. We highly recommend sharing your pediatrician’s information so that your child can receive seamless care from the Fore team and your pediatrician.

Your child’s genomic data is stored by our partner DNA Nexus. The systems used to host genomic data at DNA Nexus meet the highest rigorous information security standards to achieve compliance with industry-accepted general security and privacy frameworks.

Many genetic conditions can occur even without a known family history.

Genetic changes can be inherited in ways that aren’t always visible across generations, or they may occur for the first time in a child. Testing can help uncover these risks early, even when there are no obvious warning signs.

You can order Fore’s genetic health screen directly through our website.

A licensed physician will review your order, and once approved, your at-home collection kit will be shipped to you.

Your kit includes everything you need to complete the process at home:

A cheek-swab and collection kit
Step-by-step instructions
A prepaid return package

You’ll collect a sample using a simple and painless cheek swab from your child included in the kit provided, then send it back to our lab using the prepaid packaging that is also included.

Once received, the lab processes the sample and begins analysis as part of Fore’s genetic health screen.

Fore’s genetic health screen uses a painless cheek swab intended to be simple enough to collect at home.

No. The cheek swab collection process is non-invasive and painless.

Many genetic conditions are not visible at birth and may not show symptoms right away.

Screening early can help:

Identify risks before symptoms appear
Enable earlier care or monitoring
Give you and your pediatrician more information to guide your child’s health

Even without a family history, some conditions can still be present due to silent inheritance or new genetic changes.

Your kit typically arrives within 1 week after your order is approved.

Once the lab receives your sample, results are typically ready in about 4 weeks.

Once your sample is received:

It is checked in and prepared for testing
Your child’s DNA is sequenced and analyzed in a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited clinical lab
The results are carefully reviewed before they are finalized

If there’s an issue with your sample, our team will contact you about next steps, which may include sending a replacement kit.

Genetic information serves as the fundamental blueprint for every aspect of your body, dictating traits from physical appearance to muscle function. The majority of genetic alterations are harmless variations that neither cause nor elevate the risk of significant health issues. While some changes influence physical attributes like height without affecting health, others can lead to serious medical conditions. It's important to note that while genes may not offer insight into all health conditions, scientists have identified over 6,000 genes capable of causing genetic disorders.

Fore’s genetic health screen can be used for newborns and children of all ages, but many parents choose to test early.

Early screening can help identify certain risks sooner—when intervention or monitoring may have the greatest impact.

Fore does not screen for all potential genetic causes of childhood diseases or adult-onset conditions. Our curated list targets childhood-onset, treatable conditions; however, some genes reported by our service are associated with a wide range of clinical outcomes, including different ages of onset and variable symptoms. It is possible to receive a positive result, but further evaluation may reveal that your child is not currently at risk for early-onset symptoms. If you receive a positive result, our genetic counselors will assist you in understanding the necessary medical follow-up to better comprehend your child's health risks.

No. Each child needs their own test kit, as results are specific to their individual DNA.

Children with an increased risk result are at risk of developing symptoms of the condition and should seek follow-up care. Although we have selected genes linked to conditions that typically manifest in childhood, the age of onset can vary. Our genetic counselors and medical specialists will assist you in understanding the necessary medical follow-up to better assess your child’s health risks.

Fore’s genetic health screen is designed to complement—not replace—your child’s existing medical care.

We provide clear, clinically reviewed reports that can be shared with your child’s pediatrician or other healthcare providers. For certain results, we may also recommend follow-up with a specialist or genetic counselor to help guide next steps.

No. Fore is currently available only for children under 18 and only a parent or legal guardian has access to Fore’s Health Hub.

If you would like to get on our waiting list for access to our genetic screening for adults, please email us at support@foregenomics.com.

You’ll receive a report that highlights:

Identified genetic risks
Medication sensitivity indicators (pharmacogenetics)
Guidance on potential next steps

We will provide you with a clinical report that can be shared with your healthcare team, and a condensed, easy-to-understand report with supplementary information on findings.

Yes. Results are designed to be clear and parent-friendly, and you’ll have access to certified genetic counselors who can walk you through the results.

If your child’s genetic test results show an increased risk for a condition:

You’ll get clear information about what the result means for your child
Follow-up testing may be recommended to confirm the findings
We can help connect you with the right specialists and support

The goal is to help you move forward with clarity and support, so you’re not left to figure it out on your own.

A normal result means no significant findings were identified in the conditions included on our screening list.

In some cases, yes.

If Fore’s genetic health screen identifies a meaningful genetic risk, that information can help guide:

Preventive monitoring
Earlier intervention
More personalized care decisions

In other cases, no immediate action may be needed.

That’s okay. You don’t need to interpret the results on your own.

Fore gives you access to board-certified genetic counselors who can:

Explain your child’s results
Answer your questions
Help you understand next steps

Genetic counseling is a service that helps families understand their child’s genetic results and what they may mean for their health.

A genetic counselor can explain findings, answer questions, and help guide next steps—such as whether follow-up care or additional evaluation may be helpful.

Yes. We strongly encourage sharing results so your child’s care can be coordinated and informed.

Yes. Fore’s genetic health screen is designed to be safe for babies.

It uses a gentle, non-invasive cheek swab, so there are no needles, no blood draw, and no physical risks to your child.

Fore sequences the whole genome at 30x clinical-grade depth in a CLIA-regulated lab, reviews every flagged variant against the ACMG/AMP framework, and reports only pathogenic and likely pathogenic findings, never variants of uncertain significance.

This approach keeps false positives on reported results very low. When we flag something significant, we recommend confirming it through an ancillary clinical test that measures the condition directly, such as a lipid panel after a positive LDLR finding, and we provide these recommendations in our reports.

A genetic risk means your child may have a higher likelihood of developing a specific condition based on their DNA.

A diagnosis means the condition has been confirmed through medical evaluation or follow-up testing.

Your child’s DNA does not change—but our understanding of it does.

As scientific discoveries advance, Fore can reanalyze your child’s existing genetic data to identify any newly understood or more relevant findings. This process, called reinterpretation, allows your child’s results to continue providing value over time—without needing another sample.

No. Fore sequences your child’s whole genome once, which means future insights can come from reinterpreting the data already on file rather than collecting a new sample.

Yes. Fore offers reanalysis, which allows your child’s genetic data to be reviewed as new scientific discoveries emerge.

Fore uses a secure, HIPAA-compliant infrastructure and works with trusted partners to protect your child’s data.

You do. As a parent or legal guardian, you have full control over your child’s data.

No. Fore will not share your child’s data without your explicit consent.

U.S. law (GINA) protects against genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment.

In the U.S., the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) helps protect individuals from genetic discrimination. This means health insurers cannot use genetic information to set premiums, and employers cannot use it in hiring or employment decisions. Some state laws may provide additional protections beyond this.

No. Genetic screening for healthy children is not typically covered by insurance.

Yes. HSA and FSA funds can be used for Fore’s genetic health screen at checkout.

We will always do our best to offer testing at the most affordable pricing possible.

Fore Genomics Health Screen currently retails for $495.00.

You can purchase your kit here.

Fore’s genetic health screen is currently available in most U.S. states, with the exception of New York.

Yes, you can request a replacement kit if needed. If your original kit was lost, damaged, or not used, please contact our support team and we’ll help you get a new one.

If you have not submitted a sample, you are eligible for a full refund within one year of purchase.

Once a sample is submitted, refunds are no longer available.