Speakers call for awareness on genetic disorders

PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar here on Wednesday called for efforts to create awareness among the people about genetic disorders and the importance of prevention of genetic diseases.

The Khyber Medical University (KMU) had organized the seminar on genetic disorders in collaboration with Dosti Welfare Organization and National Commission for Human Development.KMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Ziaul Haq, Registrar Inamullah Khan Wazir, faculty members, health experts and students participated in the seminar.

Dr Inayat Shah, Director, KMU Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (IBMS), highlighted the role played by institutions like KMU in advancing genetic research.Irfan Khan, Health Coordinator of Dosti Welfare Organization emphasized the importance of prevention of genetic diseases and promotion of health care initiatives.

Prof Dr Shahtaj Khan, Head, Department of Pathology, Rehman Medical Institute, shed light on the complications of hemophilia, an inherited genetic disorder. She explored the causes, symptoms, and the latest advances in understanding and treating genetic disorders.

Dr Musharraf Jelani, Director of the Centre for Omic Sciences at Islamia College University Peshawar made a presentation about a technique known as ‘whole exome sequencing,’ which was revolutionizing the diagnosis of a wide spectrum of genetic diseases.

Dr Jeelani highlighted its numerous applications, the advantages it offered over traditional diagnostic methods, and its pivotal role in furthering our comprehension of genetic disorders.Dr Yasir Mehmood Yousafzai, Director, PHRL KMU, highlighted the scope of genetic testing focusing on his diagnosis of thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder. Through the lens of Sanger sequencing, he describes the sophisticated methods used to identify the specific genetic mutations responsible for the condition and the early detection of thalassemia.

Dr Muhammad Zakaria, in-charge of the AGCT Public Health Reference Lab unveiled the practical deployment of Sanger sequencing to identify mutations associated with rare genetic disorders.Dr Arsalan Hassan, a lecturer at the Pharmacy Department of the University of Peshawar, discussed the burgeoning field of polygenic risk scores.