To address the issue of genetic diseases, the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi has announced that genetic testing will be mandatory for couples planning to marry. This important step is […]
To address the issue of genetic diseases, the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi has announced mandatory genetic testing for couples planning to marry, an important step aimed at enabling couples to make informed family planning decisions and reduce the risk of genetic diseases for future children.
Key details of the initiative
Starting October 1, couples in the UAE will be required to undergo pre-marriage genetic testing to determine whether either partner carries genes linked to diseases such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, and to assess the likelihood of passing on genetic disorders to their offspring.
Why is genetic testing important?
The main purpose of this test is to help couples understand their genetic background and make informed choices about family planning. Knowing whether they are carriers of a genetic disease can have a significant impact on their decisions regarding having children.
Where to get tested
Genetic testing will be offered at 22 specialist centres across Abu Dhabi, which will test for a broad range of 570 genes covering around 840 inherited defects. This broad-based approach aims to identify a wider range of underlying genetic problems, not just common blood disorders.
Public health benefits
Dr. Ayman El-Khattab, a clinical genetics consultant at Burjeel Medical City, noted that the initiative is likely to have a positive impact on public health: Identifying genetic diseases before marriage will enable couples to plan healthier families, ultimately reducing the incidence of genetic diseases in the population.
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The Importance of Premarital Genetic Testing
-Identifying carriers of genetic diseases
Premarital genetic testing is important to identify couples who may be carriers of recessive genetic disorders. This information allows them to make educated choices about their reproductive options and family planning.
-Family history risk assessment
For couples with a family history of genetic diseases, testing provides important information: it helps to assess the chances of having children affected by these diseases, allowing for more informed family planning.
Genetic testing is often accompanied by genetic counselling, which provides important information about any identified diseases and helps couples understand their results and how they may impact their future.
See global practice
Abu Dhabi has made genetic testing mandatory, but India has no such requirement. However, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommends genetic counseling and testing. Dr. Nathani points out that in India, with a massive population of 1.4 billion, there is a huge disparity in the uptake of genetic testing, mainly due to low awareness of genetic diseases and social stigma.
Amid growing awareness of genetic diseases, Abu Dhabi’s initiative to make premarital genetic testing mandatory marks a major public health breakthrough, aiming to pave the way for healthier futures for future generations by providing couples with essential information to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
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