As a central attraction of the "3rd Pan Arab Human Genetics Conference”, “Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences” will hold an important symposium entitled "The Role of Media in Genetic Literacy in the Arab World". The symposium will be held next Sunday by the award’s “Centre for Arab Genomic Studies” at "Al-Bustan Rotana Hotel” in Dubai.

 

The guests of the symposium are Dr. "Ali Singel", who prepares and presents the program "Vitamin" on Dubai TV, Mr. "Jamal Al-Bah", Chairman of the “Arab Family Organization”, Prof. "Hanan Hamamy", Professor of Human Genetics affiliated with the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development at Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland. The moderator of the symposium is Dr. "Tarek Al-Abyad", Supervisor of medical news section at Al-Jazeera TV.

 

3rd Pan Arab Human Genetics Conference

 

Mr. "Abdullah Bin Souqat", Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the Conference and the Executive Director of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, said that convening such symposium is part of tireless efforts exerted by the "Centre for Arab Genomic Studies", since its establishment in 2003, to promote genetic literacy at the various economic, social, and cultural layers of the community. “Genetic literacy plays a vital role in laying down the foundations of a safe community” he added.

 

He confirmed that the science of human genetics broke into our daily lives with amazing speed. Geneticists have been able to identify the genetic basis of many deadly disorders such as cancer and Alzheimer. Therefore, we must learn more about genetics to live up our health and the future of our children. The symposium is not only addressed to geneticists, but also to all media members in the Arab World and to individuals with a passion to know more about this subject.

 

Mr. "Bin Souqat" said that guests of the symposium have been selected carefully to cover basic themes. The first main theme is explaining the meaning of "genetic literacy. Dr. "Hanan Hamamy", Professor of human genetics affiliated with the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development at Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland, will deal with that theme. Dr. Hanan has a vast experience in community service. She was actively involved in implementing the national program for community genetic services in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health in Jordan. She has authored and co-authored more than 50 publications in international and Arab peer-reviewed journals, with special interest in researching the relevance of consanguinity to genetic disorders.

 

The second main theme of the symposium is monitoring the genetic literacy in the Arab World and the difficulties faced by those in charge of disseminating awareness of genetic literacy among the members of community. Mr. "Jamal Al- Bah," Chairman of the “Arab Family Organization”, will deal with that subject. Mr. Al-Bah has exerted great efforts for many years, in his capacity as Director General of the Marriage Fund (1993 to 2005), to raise awareness on the seriousness of genetic disorders. These efforts fruited by the issuance of the first law in the Arab World mandating the process of premarital screening for some common genetic disorders.

 

The third main theme of the symposium is the role of media in the dissemination of genetic literacy. Dr. "Ali Singel", a known media personality and a Dermatologist, will talk on this subject. He is also a Colonel and is the Director of Medical Services in Dubai Police. Alongside his work as a doctor, he prepares and presents a program, "Vitamin", on Dubai TV. The program has a large scale of viewers both in the UAE and all over the Arab countries. It should be noted that "Vitamin" discussed in many occasions genetic issues, in which Dr. Ali quoted statistics issued by the Centre for Arab Genomic Studies in this regard.