A research team at Rabin Medical Center has developed a new model for genetic risk assessment that could transform prenatal screening for expectant parents from close-knit communities. The current global standard often flags Jewish couples as genetically too close, leading to unnecessary anxiety and even consideration of pregnancy termination. Prof. Idit Maya and her colleagues analyzed thousands of genetic samples from diverse ethnic groups in Israel, revealing that existing thresholds do not account for naturally higher genetic similarity in homogenous populations. Their new algorithm tailors risk assessment to each group's unique genetic profile, offering a personalized threshold that reduces false alarms and unnecessary interventions. The model has been adopted by the Israeli Society of Medical Genetics and is expected to be included in updated clinical guidelines, marking a significant advance in personalized medicine for entire communities.