In the past year, about 165,000 couples have decided not to get married after receiving test results showing "genetic incompatibilities", the Saudi Gazette website reports. The tests are mandatory for couples who are planning to tie the knot, andscreen for a number of diseases, including sickle-cell anaemia and HIV. Dr Mohammad al-Saidi, from the health ministry, says the aim is to reduce the risk of parents passing on illnesses or genetic disorders to their children .... http://www.bbc.com
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Saudi Arabia: Genetic tests lead to 165,000 break-ups
Thousands of couples have called off their engagements in Saudi Arabia as a result of mandatory pre-marital health checks, it's reported.
In the past year, about 165,000 couples have decided not to get married after receiving test results showing "genetic incompatibilities", the Saudi Gazette website reports. The tests are mandatory for couples who are planning to tie the knot, andscreen for a number of diseases, including sickle-cell anaemia and HIV. Dr Mohammad al-Saidi, from the health ministry, says the aim is to reduce the risk of parents passing on illnesses or genetic disorders to their children .... http://www.bbc.com
In the past year, about 165,000 couples have decided not to get married after receiving test results showing "genetic incompatibilities", the Saudi Gazette website reports. The tests are mandatory for couples who are planning to tie the knot, andscreen for a number of diseases, including sickle-cell anaemia and HIV. Dr Mohammad al-Saidi, from the health ministry, says the aim is to reduce the risk of parents passing on illnesses or genetic disorders to their children .... http://www.bbc.com
