Emirati couples in Abu Dhabi must take genetic tests as part of a premarital screening process from October 1, the emirate's health authority said.
The testing will help them to “make informed decisions” by detecting and preventing genetic conditions, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) said. This follows on from the pilot phase of the project, in which more than 800 couples have taken part since 2022.
“The premarital screening programme plays a vital role in protecting the health of couples planning to marry by detecting infectious diseases and inherited blood disorders, while offering appropriate genetic counselling,” said Dr Ahmed Al Khazraji, acting director general of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.
The service will be offered in 22 primary care centres across Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra and Al Ain.
“With the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi now integrating genetic testing into the programme, we are harnessing genomic science to provide couples with insights that guide them to make informed decisions for a healthier future for themselves and their families.”
Data from the trial period showed that 86 per cent achieved genetic compatibility and 14 per cent required additional intervention and family planning based on genetic results.
“The integration of genetic testing as part of the premarital screening programme is a proud milestone for Abu Dhabi,” said Dr Asma Al Mannaei, executive director of the Research and Innovation Centre at DoH.
“It positions the emirate at the forefront of leading healthcare destinations globally, harnessing the power of genomics and the latest technologies to promote informed decisions. Thus, safeguarding the health and well-being of community members today, as well as the generations of tomorrow.
“This step aims to prevent genetic diseases and elevate early intervention through different phases, including diagnostic, tailored genetic counselling and introducing reproductive medicine solutions for couples.”
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Key facilities
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Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
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Lexus LX700h specs
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Founded: 2011
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Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
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Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
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The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
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- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
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