Abu Dhabi Mandates Genetic Testing In Premarital Screenings For Emiratis From January 2025

Abu Dhabi Department of Health announced that starting in January 2025, genetic testing will be a required part of premarital screenings for all Emirati citizens.

Speaking at a keynote session about the Emirati Genome Program at the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2024, the Undersecretary of the Department of Health Noura Al Ghaithi shared this new mandate.

The undersecretary highlighted that the Emirati Genome Program has led to the discovery of 12% of new genetic variants. These findings include that over 25% of Emiratis have genes that help them better handle psychological stress, 46% have genetic variants that improve their ability to digest lactose and 20% of future generations of Emiratis are at a higher risk of developing Type 1 diabetes.

The Emirates Genome Council also revealed that genetic testing would be a key part of the premarital screening program for all Emirati citizens across the country. Al Ghaithi explained that the genetic testing would cover 570 genes linked to more than 840 genetic disorders.

"This preventive measure safeguards community members from hereditary diseases and allows couples to undergo genetic testing to determine if they carry shared genetic mutations that could be passed on to their offspring, potentially causing preventable genetic diseases," Al Ghaithi was quoted as saying by WAM.

"Common genetic mutations among couples can lead to conditions such as vision and hearing loss, blood clotting disorders, developmental delays, organ failure, hormonal imbalances, and severe seizures," she added.

Al Ghaithi explained that genetic testing helps protect the health and well-being of community members and ensures a healthier future for future generations.

It also allows couples to make informed decisions when planning to have children, helps prevent the transmission of genetic diseases to children, and improves the ability to intervene early through diagnosis, personalized genetic counseling, and developing reproductive solutions for couples.

She encouraged all couples planning to get married to undergo genetic testing, noting that the results take about 14 days to process. She also mentioned that participants in the Emirati Genome Program receive health recommendations based on their genetic data, helping them make informed choices.

Al Ghaithi explained that the Council manages the development and success of the program, helping it become one of the largest population genomics projects and one of the biggest genomic databases globally.

Last week, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week kicked off in Abu Dhabi with the ECD Research Convening, an interactive event to inspire researchers and encourage teamwork and new ideas.