UAE Genetics Diseases Association

UAEGDA is a non-profit organization, coming under Dubai's Islamic Affairs and charitable Activities Department, Dubai. The UAEGDA was established with main aim to control and prevent population-specific genetic disorders prevalent in the United Arab Emirates. Some of the activities of UAEGDA include promoting health education, screening for genetic disorders, pre-marital screening and genetic counseling.



The UAEGDA also facilitates communication and publication of scientific knowledge, to promote education and research in genetics, and encourages interaction between workers in genetics and those in related sciences.

The first project of the UAEGDA (Emirates free Of Thalassemia by the year 2012) is aimed at identifying the Beta-Thalassemia and Sickle-cell carriers in the UAE pre-marital population. UAEGDA seeks to step up the fight against Thalassemia, in line with the UAE federal government's vision to make the country free from the new births of children with Thalassemia major by the year 2012. This project was initiated with the inauguration of the Thalassemia Screening Laboratory at the premises of the Dubai Women College (March 28, 2007), by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. This inauguration was attended by several dignitaries that included H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Education, UAE.



So far, we are pleased to inform you that several organizations have extended their support to UAEGDA and find this work both rewarding and gratifying.