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The Development of Genetic Counseling Services and Training Program in Saudi Arabia

  • Genetic Counseling: A Global Perspective
  • Published:
Journal of Genetic Counseling

Abstract

In 2005 the first Saudi genetic counseling training program was established by the Department of Medical Genetics at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The program has graduated five genetic counselors with high diploma-level degree. This brief report describes the development of the genetic counseling training program and the factors that led to its establishment. Special emphasis is made to unique cultural practices including consanguinity, religious influence, and termination of pregnancy. This report also describes the current status of the genetic counseling services offered by KFSH&RC and availability of genetic testing.

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Correspondence to Moeenaldeen D. Al-Sayed.

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This is to confirm that this manuscript is submitted solely to this journal and was not published elsewhere and is not currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.

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Qari, A.A., Balobaid, A.S., Rawashdeh, R.R. et al. The Development of Genetic Counseling Services and Training Program in Saudi Arabia. J Genet Counsel 22, 835–838 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-013-9645-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-013-9645-8

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