Prevention is the key to fighting genetic diseases

Dubai: Genetic mutations inherited no longer determine your fate. With more than 400 genetic disorders in the UAE, the country's health sector is focused on empowering the community by raising awareness of prevention methods and early detection to reduce the incidence of genetic diseases.

Dubai hosts the seventh International Conference on Genetic Disorders. November 9 and 10 this year, said Humaid Al Qutami, DHA chief executive Monday at a press conference at the Dubai Health Authority's office

Al Qutami said the conference will create a platform for form for the government and the private sector. Get together to discuss genetic advances, treatment methods, and challenges in the field of genetic diseases.

The two-day conference will host more than 40 international, regional and local genetic experts from leading institutions and research organizations. 19659003] Dr. Maryam Mattar, Founder and President of the Emirates Disease Diseases Association, emphasized the importance of "A technology such as Next Generation Sequencing has discovered genes responsible for more than 50% of all rare diseases, "she said.

With genetic testing and more recent technologies, we have the opportunity to better understand our genes and to take steps to help these genes by following a healthy lifestyle, sleep and exercise, explain- she. it is important to have early medical intervention. However, the hereditary genetic mutation no longer largely determines our fate. Advances in genetics have transformed preventive medicine for the better, "said Dr. Mattar.

According to the Global Genes Organization, there are about 7,000 different types of rare diseases and disorders, every day more. % of people affected by rare diseases are children

In the United Arab Emirates, the most common genetic disorders are blood disorders such as thalbademia, sickle cell anemia, anemia, hemophilia, and G6PD deficiency One hundred percent of the UAE's population are minor thalbademic or carry the gene.With these figures in mind, the government has introduced mandatory testing before marriage, which has resulted in significantly reduced the incidence of new cases

"The cost of genetic testing for thalbademia is Dh120, 35 000 dirhams per year." Similarly, the risk of neural tube defects may be also be avoided by treatment of & # 39; folic acid three months, costing around 30 days, while the treatment of & # 39; a case of neural tube defects costing 730,000 dirhams, "said Dr Mattar. According to Dr. Mattar, prevention is the key to reducing the social and economic impact of genetic diseases.

She indicated that the upcoming conference aims to bring together regional and global experts in the field of prevention. the field of genetics to discuss the latest advances in the detection and management of genetic diseases.

Organized by the Association of Genetic Diseases of the UAE, the conference will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Chairman of the UAE Genetic Diseases Association. The Dubai Health Authority is a strategic partner of the conference

The conference will also host the UAE 2018 International Genetic Disease Prevention Awards, which recognize the contributions of prominent personalities in the field of advocacy, genetic research and studies. and figures

– 33 211 Emirati men and women were screened for the three most common hereditary genetic diseases in the UAE

– 9,011 DNA samples were collected for genetic testing

– Training of 537 students from 17 universities

– More than 400 genetic diseases in the UAE

– The most common genetic diseases are thalbademia, sickle cell anemia, anemia, hemophilia and G6PD deficiency

– At least 8.5% of the population is minor thalbademic or carries the gene

] Source: Association of Genetic Diseases of the Emirates