UAE to Mandate Premarital Genetic Testing for Emiratis
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The UAE will mandate premarital genetic testing for all Emirati couples from January 2025, which was announced on Wednesday, Dec. 25.
The screening strategy was introduced in Abu Dhabi in October this year to improve the efforts of detecting and preventing genetic conditions and now it will be extended to other emirates.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention will lead the program and will receive support from Abu Dhabi's Department of Health, the Dubai Health Authority, Emirates Health Services, and Dubai Health, alongside academic, medical, and technological partners.
A specific date for the introduction of mandatory genetic testing has not been provided, but it will be introduced in early January.
The health ministry aims to create an integrated database to identify genetic diseases among Emiratis, which will allow early medical intervention.
Under this scheme, Emirati couples who are set to marry will undergo genetic testing to identify potential genetic mutations, which could be passed onto their children and lead to preventable genetic diseases.