Saudi Arabia: Genetic tests lead to 165,000 break-ups

[mujhaidind]

Thousands of couples have called off their engagements in Saudi Arabia as a result of mandatory pre-marital health checks, it's reported.

In the past year, about 165,000 couples have decided not to get married after receiving test results showing "genetic incompatibilities", the Saudi Gazette website reports. The tests are mandatory for couples who are planning to tie the knot, and screen for a number of diseases, including sickle-cell anaemia and HIV. Dr Mohammad al-Saidi, from the health ministry, says the aim is to reduce the risk of parents passing on illnesses or genetic disorders to their children.

According to Dr Saidi, 60% of couples end their engagements after receiving their results, which he says is a sign of success. "The high percentage of failed engagements due to medical risks shows that the society has become more educated and aware of the importance of physical health," he says. "This will also save money for the family and the country." In January, a Riyadh-based genetic researcher said Saudi Arabia has one of the highest rates of genetic diseases in the world. Pre-marital health tests aim to prevent marriages between close relatives - a longstanding practice in Saudi Arabia - which can lead to serious medical problems in offspring.

Saudi Arabia: Genetic tests lead to 165,000 break-ups - BBC News

 

[gslv]

Isn't it eugenics? Some ppl consider it as discrimination.

 

[Kambojaric]

Isn't it eugenics? Some ppl consider it as discrimination.

They arent forced to not marry each other so its not discrimination. If anything this is positive news.

 

[Maira La]

Isn't it eugenics? Some ppl consider it as discrimination.

It does sound like eugenics.

So a guy with, let's say, sickle-cell anaemia will 1) never get married or 2) get married to a girl with the same disease.
Result is he'll either 1) have no children or 2) have children, but ALL with the same disease.

Not nice.

 

[East or West India Best]

Consanguineous marriage should be illegal worldwide.

 

[ArsalanKhan21]

Pakistan should also end cousin and close relative marriages. The kin marriages were common due to tribal and clan alliances in small villages but now with global travel they should marry with global ummah.

 

[Hack-Hook]

It does sound like eugenics.

So a guy with, let's say, sickle-cell anaemia will 1) never get married or 2) get married to a girl with the same disease.
Result is he'll either 1) have no children or 2) have children, but ALL with the same disease.

Not nice.

you get it wrong , it means a guy with sickle cell trait won't marry a girl with sickle cell trait.so the children won't have the severe form of the disease . or if they have married each other now what will happen to their children and take necessary measures .

here we also have genetic tests but not for sickle cell anemia we do it for Beta Thalassemia.

by the way you don't need an expensive genetic test to diagnose sickle cell anemia , you need the genetic test to diagnose sickle cell trait.

 

[SipahSalar]

It does sound like eugenics.

So a guy with, let's say, sickle-cell anaemia will 1) never get married or 2) get married to a girl with the same disease.
Result is he'll either 1) have no children or 2) have children, but ALL with the same disease.

Not nice.

And hiding a disease from the girl he is marrying is Ethically totally OK? No one is forcing them to not marry, he just has to persuade the girl.

 

[Daneshmand]

you get it wrong , it means a guy with sickle cell trait won't marry a girl with sickle cell trait.so the children won't have the severe form of the disease . or if they have married each other now what will happen to their children and take necessary measures .

here we also have genetic tests but not for sickle cell anemia we do it for Beta Thalassemia.

by the way you don't need an expensive genetic test to diagnose sickle cell anemia , you need the genetic test to diagnose sickle cell trait.

Those expensive days are long gone. Nowadays you can do a complete SNP map for under 200 dollars: 23andMe Canada - DNA Genetic Testing & Analysis

 

[Hack-Hook]

Those expensive days are long gone. Nowadays you can do a complete SNP map for under 200 dollars: 23andMe Canada - DNA Genetic Testing & Analysis

still expensive for many in middle east you can do a cbc-diff for 1-2$ and peripheral blood smear for less than 10$ . it clearly show Sickle cell anemia and at least here we don't continue further but if the person has sickle cell trait then that's not enough for diagnosis and you need to do further tests

 

[Daneshmand]

still expensive for many in middle east you can do a cbc-diff for 1-2$ and peripheral blood smear for less than 10$ . it clearly show Sickle cell anemia and at least here we don't continue further but if the person has sickle cell trait then that's not enough for diagnosis and you need to do further tests

Prices for complete genetic testing are coming down fast. 5 years ago it was about 1000 dollars. It is estimated that in five years time from now, it will be in the range of a few tens of dollars. And good thing about such a test, is that its results are permanent. Since DNA itself is permanent. And it shows much more than a single trait. A good genetic test and its analysis, would uncover entire known genetic traits, risk factors, and drug responses. So it is a long term investment.

Iran should invest in this area. Better would be to initiate a national project, creating a genetic database for all Iranians. If we assume each test costs about 50 dollars, to map the entire population of Iran would cost 4 billion dollars. Such a data would be of enormous value in research and providing targeted healthcare. And Iran can easily afford it.

 

[samv]

In January, a Riyadh-based genetic researcher said Saudi Arabia has one of the highest rates of genetic diseases in the world. Pre-marital health tests aim to prevent marriages between close relatives - a longstanding practice in Saudi Arabia - which can lead to serious medical problems in offspring.

Saudi Arabia: Genetic tests lead to 165,000 break-ups - BBC News

Incest?

 

[Hack-Hook]

Incest?

depend on what definition you choose for incest .
In Islam marriage between cousins are not considered as incest but in some societies its incest.

 

[samv]

depend on what definition you choose for incest .
In Islam marriage between cousins are not considered as incest but in some societies its incest.

Is it legal between direct cousins? That is, between the offspring of say, a brother and a sister?

 

[livingdead]

i dont like govt entering into it unless its a massive public health issue(too many people with genetic disease).. let individuals decide whether to test.
On second thought though it will be awkward to ask for a test before marriage.