Within its tireless efforts to increase awareness among community members towards the seriousness of genetic disorders, “Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences” has issued a series of handbooks bearing the name “genetics made easy”. This was stated by Prof. “Najib Al-Khaja” Secretary-General of the Award, who added that the “Centre for Arab Genomic Studies”, emanating from the award, has recently issued 2 books for non-medical specialists to familiarize them with genetic disorders. The books are available in English with a translation into Arabic, to ensure their access to the biggest number of Arab and foreign readers. The books are characterized by modern design and luxury print.

 

Prof. “Al-Khaja” said that “Centre for Arab Genomic Studies” has issued two books within the series entitled “Blood Disorders” and “cancers”, and it is planned to issue additional books in the near future. He added that the books are scheduled to reach ordinary readers through their free distribution in hospitals, medical centers and other institutions within the UAE. 

 

“Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences” issues “genetics made easy”

 

Prof. “AL-Khaja” talked about the importance of issuing such books by saying that they contribute to raise the awareness of the seriousness of spreading genetic disorders and diseases of genetic origins on individuals, and the ways of prevention and treatment. There are many disorders may occur as a result of wrong behaviors or even as a result of eating certain foods. For example, “G6PD Deficiency” or destroying red blood cells, as it is presented in the book “Blood Disorders”, is considered one of genetic disorders which is common in Arab countries as a result of the adoption of population in their diet to eat fava (broad) beans, where the rate of infection among newborn in some Arab countries reaches to 37% among males and 21% among females. 

 

“Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences” issues “genetics made easy”

 

As for the book “cancers” he said that early diagnosis of tumors is the first step to recovery. The book has addressed some preliminary indications of cancer which requires taking necessary medical measures to control the disease in its early stages. There are many indicators of seriousness, for example, detection of any changes in the breast mass, which is considered as an alarming bell for the probability of breast cancer. As for gastric cancer, there are some early symptoms which may evolve later to severe abdominal pain along with vomiting and diarrhea or constipation accompanied by bleeding and swelling intestinal gas, weight loss and difficulties in swallowing food. 

 

Dr. “Ghazi Tadmouri”, Assistant Director of the “Centre for Arab Genomic Studies”, pointed out that preparing these 2 books is a fruit of hard work exerted by the Centre’s team. He added that at the beginning of preparing “genetics made easy” series, it was necessary to identify the topics involved in each of the books. This stage has been done by reference to the CTGA database for genetic disorders in Arab populations, which was founded by the Centre in year 2004. Two books were issued. The first one is “Blood Disorders” which deals with five disorders, namely: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, Haemophilia, Sickle Cell, Thalassemia and Thromobophilia. The second book entitled “Cancers” explains and simplifies Breast, Cervical, Colon, Gastric, Leukemia, Lung, and Thyroid cancers.

 

He added that authoring the books passed through several phases. First, the authoring team collected scientific information mainly from international references, with little contribution from Arabic sources. Details were excluded from the authored text as some may not be interesting for lay readers. Simplified texts were then translated into Arabic language and were reviewed by specialists in corresponding fields. Towards the final stages, the material was handed to non-medical specialists to read the contents and convey their remarks. At this level, each one of the books reached its final adjustments before proceeding with the design and publishing.