Authorities in Abu Dhabi announced on Tuesday that citizens planning to marry will now be required to undergo essential genetic testing as part of the premarital examination program. The Department of Health in the emirate stated that this mandate will come into effect from October 1, 2023. The department added that once the test is completed, it will take 14 days for the results to be issued.
Data from the program, which has been tracking 800 couples since 2022, reveals that 86 percent of couples successfully verified genetic compatibility, while only 14 percent required additional intervention and a tailored family planning strategy based on their genetic results.
The genetic test covers 570 genes associated with over 840 medical conditions, significantly enhancing the ability to detect genetic risks or potential hereditary conditions. This test is considered one of the most crucial preventive measures when planning to start a family. It includes consultations with healthcare specialists and genetic counselors, a vital step in fully understanding potential risks and available treatment options.
The department highlighted that genetic testing and counseling services are accessible in 22 primary healthcare centers across Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra, and Al Ain. Couples can undergo genetic tests as part of their premarital screenings to identify shared mutations that could be passed on to their future children and potentially cause preventable diseases.
Common genetic mutations between couples can result in children being at risk for conditions such as vision and hearing loss, blood clotting, developmental delays, organ failure, hormonal imbalances, severe seizures, and more.
