Polygenic vs Carrier (Monogenic) Screening
Preconception genetic testing has two very different things going on under the hood. Classical carrier screening looks for single high-impact variants in recessive disease genes. Polygenic risk scores aggregate thousands of small-effect variants into a risk ranking. A good preconception report includes both — here is why.
At a glance
Anyone who wants both layers of preconception genetic information in one report.
If all you want is carrier screening for well-characterized recessive diseases, clinical panels (Natera Horizon, Myriad Foresight, Invitae) are the gold standard and covered by many insurances.
Pricing
Public list prices. Genomisaur Family Full is currently $49.5 with code LAUNCH50.
| Option | Price | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Genomisaur (PRS + carrier) | $99 | Consumer: both layers in one report |
| Clinical carrier panel | — | $100–$400 (often insurance-covered) |
| Nucleus Preview | — | $399 per person |
Competitor prices sourced from Public list price on mynucleus.com as of 2026. Update periodically; confirm on the vendor's site before purchasing.
Feature comparison
Side-by-side on the things that actually change what the product does for you.
| Feature | Genomisaur | Monogenic carrier screening | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it detects | Polygenic: thousands of variants, small effects, complex diseases | Monogenic: single high-impact variants in recessive disease genes | |
| Typical conditions | Heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune, cancers, traits | CF, sickle cell, Tay-Sachs, SMA, fragile X | |
| Interpretation | Population-relative risk percentile | Binary: carrier / not carrier | |
| Clinical actionability | Informational; lifestyle and screening cadence | High — affects reproductive decisions | |
| Included in Genomisaur Family Full | Yes — all 71 PRS | Yes — CF, SCD, Tay-Sachs, SMA, and more |
What each one does well
Genomisaur
- Both layers in one $99 report
- 100 simulated offspring show how carrier inheritance plays out across children
- No new testing required — works from existing DNA data
Monogenic carrier screening
- Clinical-grade carrier panels (Natera, Myriad, Invitae) are the standard before reproductive decisions
- Often covered by insurance
- Include structural variants and expansion repeats consumer arrays cannot resolve
Use a consumer preconception report like Genomisaur Family Full to get polygenic + carrier information cheaply and quickly. If the report flags carrier status in both parents for a serious recessive condition, confirm it with a clinical-grade panel (or genetic counselor) before making reproductive decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use a consumer report or a clinical carrier panel?
Ideally both. A consumer report like Genomisaur gives you the full picture — polygenic risk, trait prediction, carrier flags — for $99. Clinical panels are the standard for actionable reproductive decisions because they include variants consumer arrays miss.
Are polygenic risk scores clinically actionable?
For a few conditions (coronary artery disease, some cancers), top-decile PRSs are approaching clinical utility and are being piloted in screening guidelines. For most conditions they are currently informational. Every Genomisaur score card cites its source study so you can see the evidence for yourself.
Can consumer SNP data miss carrier variants?
Yes. Consumer arrays cover a curated set of variants and can miss rare or structural variants that clinical sequencing catches. That is why we recommend confirmatory clinical testing when a Genomisaur report flags dual-carrier status for a serious recessive condition.
Informational, not diagnostic
Consumer preconception reports — ours, Monogenic carrier screening's, and others — are informational. Carrier and polygenic risk results should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider or genetic counselor before making medical or reproductive decisions.