Second Pan Arab Human Genetics meet in Dubai

Dubai is hosting the 2nd Pan Arab Human Genetics Conference organized by the Centre for Arab Genomic Studies of the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences in cooperation with the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai.

The conference aims to make people aware of common genetic disorders and the ways of controlling them and methods of prevention.

In collaboration with Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the activities of the conference begin with a workshop on November 18 and 19 (two days prior to the conference) in Al Wasl Hospital, Dubai.

It will address the topic of cellular genetics techniques and their applications in modern medicine through "FISH" technology (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization technology) in the field of genetics diagnosis. It will also educate participants on the principles underlying this technique, its usages and significance in modern medical applications.

It will also give them valuable in-depth information on applying this technique in the area of prenatal diagnosis of embryos, the newborn and cancer, and will offer participants the opportunity to test this technique themselves first hand.

The conference will begin with an opening ceremony on Tuesday, November 20, at 9:30am in Rashidiah Hall at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai. The inaugural program will include a speech of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister for Finance and Industry and Patron of the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, followed by a speech by the General Secretariat of the Award, another speech by the Islamic Affairs Department and Charitable Activities and a speech by the Centre for Arabic Genomic Studies. Following the speeches, the exhibition that is part of conference activities will be opened.

A general seminar will follow the opening ceremony that will discuss the "Ethical Anticipations of Human Genetics Studies Applications in the Arab World." It will be held in collaboration with the Islamic Department Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai. The invitation is open to all segments of society. They can attend this event and interact with scientists and lecturers.

A large number of scientists and physicians will participate in the symposium that is divided into two sessions. The first session will be chaired by Dr. Ali Khalid Abdullah from Qatar University who will discuss the topic of "Human Genome Research: legal and legitimate standards".

The second session will be chaired by Dr. Muhammad Abdulrahim Sultan Al-Ulama, Deputy-Dean of Scientific Research Affairs, United Arab Emirates University. He will discuss the topic of "Genetic testing: legal and legitimate standards." Dr. Ahmad Abdul Aziz Al-Haddad, Chief Mufti, Bureau of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Works in Dubai, will share the same session and discuss the topic of intermarriage and public/private standards of genetic testing before marriage.

Dr. Osama Abdullah Qaed, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor and Chairman, Department of Criminal Law at the Beni Suef University, Egypt will discuss the legal standards for genetic testing in the embryo. Also taking part will be Prof. Dr. Abdul-Nasser Abul Basal, Dean of the Faculty of Sharia at the University of Sharjah and Dr. Aida Al Aqil, the first advisor for childhood disorders and genetics, the Military Hospital and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

These well-known and respected scientists, among others, will include recommendations on the ethical perspectives of genetic applications, especially seeing that genetic disorders and congenital abnormalities continue to be serious issues faced by healthcare providers in the Arab World.

It is expected that the development of genetic research in the region will be turned into real applications through the medium of this conference. The aim is also for the reduction of incidences of genetic disorders, reducing the percentage of infection, early detection of these disorders, better treatment and management strategies for drawbacks, specially regarding premarital genetic testing, prenatal diagnosis and the screening of newborn for genetic disorders. The location of genes in the genome map will be specified and human genetic diversity will be studied.

The conference, which will be held on 21 - 22 November, will host 6 specialized scientific sessions, where 27 specialists in genetics from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Finland and the United States of America, will lecture.

The first session will discuss The Human VARIOME Project (genetic variation), and the integration of Genomic Sciences and Genome Medicine. Distinguished lecturers in this session are Prof. Richard Cotton, President of the Human VARIOME Project and Prof. Edison Liu, President of The Human Genome Organization.

The second session will focus on the Complex and Recessive Disorders in the Arab World, and include a lecture of Dr. Ghazi O. Tadmori, Vice Chairperson of the Center for Arab Genomic Studies in the United Arab Emirates.

The third session will hold a discussion about the new research on genetic disorders in the region. Participating will be Prof. Andre Megarbane from Saint Joseph University, Lebanon, and Dr. Anna Rajab, from the Ministry of Health, Oman.

On Thursday, November 22nd, the working sessions will proceed further with the fourth session that will discuss the subject of Bioethics and Genetic Humans, and International Bioethics and Human Genetics. One of the distinguished lecturers in this session is Prof. Henk ten Have, Director of the Division of Ethics of Sciences and Technology at UNESCO.

The fifth session will be dedicated to discuss the national strategies for the prevention of genetic disorders in the region through a presentation of Al Bahrain Prevention Strategies of Genetic Disorders (1984-2007), and Jordan's National Strategy for Prevention of Genetic Disorders and Congenital Abnormalities, and the results of Newborn Screening in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Egypt.

Finally, the sixth and last session will hold short lectures discussing a variety of subjects like the Degradation of Mutated Proteins and the cause of Genetic Disorders, and the Molecular Analysis of Hemophilia disease in Lebanon and the Most Prevalent Genetic Disorders in Egypt.