Saudi Arabia Awakes to the Perils of Inbreeding

(New York Times) Sarah Kershaw - Several serious genetic disorders are common in Saudi Arabia where in some regions more than half of the marriages are between close relatives. Saudi health authorities, having quietly debated what to do for decades, have started a nationwide educational campaign to inform related couples who intend to marry of the risk of genetic disease and are planning to require mandatory blood tests before marriage and premarital counseling.


2003-04-02 00:00:00

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