‘Genetics vital health planning input’
The Omani population is characterised by a rapid growth rate, large family size, consanguineous marriages and the presence of genetic isolates, experts told a genetics meet
Times News Service MUSCAT: Evaluating consanguinity and frequency of congenital disorders are important for future healthcare planning and interventions, an expert told a genetics meet in Muscat yesterday.
As many as 200 delegates from different countries are attending the “Second Genetics Conference: Genetics in Developing CountriesUnique Challenges and Opportunities,” organised by the Department of Genetics of the College of Medicine & Health Sciences at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU).
The opening ceremony of the three-day conference was held today under the patronage of Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Al Futaisi, executive president of Oman Medical Specialty Board.
The event follows the International Genetic Conference held in Oman last year, where consanguinity was the main focus.
Dr. Khalid Al Thihli, head of the conference organising committee, said the committee this year critically re-evaluated the whole theme and objectives of the conference to realise that there is need to address specific challenges uncovered through the field of genetics in this region of the world.
“The scientific nature of the field of genetics not surprisingly gives rise to opportunities out of challenges encountered. The plethora of genetic variations that have become available as a result of improved sequencing technologies, the inherent complexities of even what was thought to be simple Mendelian traits, the complex interplay between environment, family and population structure and genetics are all examples of the day to day challenges we en- counter,” he said.
Speaking on consanguinity and genetic disorders in Oman, Dr. Anna Rajab from the Ministry of Health, Oman, said the Omani population is characterised by a rapid growth rate, large family size, consanguineous marriages and the presence of genetic isolates. “Evaluating consanguinity and frequency of congenital disorders are important for future health- care planning and interventions, in view of their significant financial, social and research relevance. The high prevalence of congenital disorders in the Omani population is believed to be due to customary consanguineous marriages, improved survival of disabled children, large family size, high frequency of haemoglobin disorders and advanced parental age. A study which estimated the community load of congenital and genetic disorders revealed that consanguinity levels did not change significantly in the past years suggesting that further reduction of prenatal and childhood mortality and morbidity in Oman would require more attention to preventive genetic services including the application of novel genetic technologies. Conditions with intellectual disability pose the greatest burden to families and communities, calling for adjustments in the care, further research and prevention. Omani healthcare is facing a challenge in drawing the line between freedom of marital choice in affected families and communities and finding a solution for the current situation in agreement with local customs and social norms.”
Dr. Khalid Al Thihli said, “Many populations in the developing world remain largely poorly explored from a genetic standpoint, yet owing to a number of factors including endogamy and high rates of consanguinity coupled with rapid economic growth in some countries along with improved awareness about the importance of research, some countries in the developing world have contributed significantly to some translational discoveries in the field of genetics. We look forward to this event setting the ground for interactions between local and international researchers, to disseminate knowledge, and share experience in order to convert challenges we encounter into opportunities for research and development.”
The participants attending the conference come from the fields of medicine, nursing, laboratory science, clinical and basic science research, teaching, allied health sciences, and community services.