SCREENING RATES OF PARENTHOOD GENETIC DISEASE CARRIER TEST (PREDICT) PROGRAMME

NOTICE PAPER NO. 712

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 7 APRIL 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Choo Pei Ling

MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC

Question No. 1965

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in view of the target of 40,000 married couples between 2024 and 2027 against 674 screened at end 2025 under the regarding the PaREnthood genetic DIsease Carrier Test (PREDICT) Programme (a) what are the reasons for the low screening rate; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider including couples planning to get married, like those already on the HDB Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme.

Answer

1        The Parenthood Genetic Disease Carrier Test (PREDICT) programme is a pilot project to enhance pre-natal screening of carriers for recessive genetic disorders such as spinal muscular atrophy and Pompe disease. While it is offered to almost all couples that KKH is attending to, fewer than 1,300 couples showed interest and wish to participate in the pilot programme.

2        These couples were then invited to undergo genetic counselling, so that they understand how to interpret the results, and the potential implications.  Many couples did not complete the mandatory genetic counselling or decide not to proceed after the genetic counselling.  Today, about 800 couples have gone through the tests. The earlier target set was obviously too ambitious, and we will review both the target and the pilot with KKH and Temasek Foundation, which is funding the programme.