Qatar's first Genetic Medicine Symposium, jointly organized by WCMC-Q and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), brought together international experts and healthcare professionals eager to learn more about the topic.

The theme of the symposium, 'Clinical Genetics in the Office of the Physician', aimed to inform generalists, specialists, medical students and nurses about genetics, with everything from metabolic diseases to dysformology on the discussion table.

Sessions were designed to help the audience become more familiar with the language of genetics, as well as learn about the diagnostic services available at HMC, including molecular and metabolic investigations.

Qatar, like many countries in the region, has a relatively high frequency of some genetic diseases, in particular antosomal recessive diseases - those inherited from both parents.

WCMC-Q professor of pediatrics Dr. Ahmad Teebi, who spearheaded the Symposium, explained, "We all carry abnormal genes but they are different depending on our origins. When parents carry the same mutated gene, for example if they are cousins, there is a higher chance it will be taken on by their offspring. Consanguinity is rooted in many cultures, including Qatar, but people are starting to understand that this issue needs to be explored."

The Symposium marked the start of moves towards the establishment of a genetics center in Doha that will build upon existing expertise within HMC.

"There are other similar centers in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, but ours will be the most comprehensive in the region in terms of clinical care, diagnostic services, medical genetics and research," Dr. Teebi said.

Impressed by the high level of attendance at the Symposium, he commented, "There is genuine and growing interest in this topic and a need to know more about what is going on. We are considering expanding the Symposium next year to discuss research and advancement in this area and this region."