Genomics in Egypt: Current Status and Future Aspects
Egypt is the third most densely inhabited African country. Due to the economic burden and healthcare costs of overpopulation, genomic and genetic testing is a huge challenge. However, in the era of precision medicine, Egypt is taking a shift in approach from “one-size-fits all” to more personalized...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Genetics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.797465/full |
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| author | Eman Ahmed El-Attar Rasha Mohamed Helmy Elkaffas Sarah Ahmed Aglan Iman S. Naga Amira Nabil Hoda Y. Abdallah Hoda Y. Abdallah |
| author_facet | Eman Ahmed El-Attar Rasha Mohamed Helmy Elkaffas Sarah Ahmed Aglan Iman S. Naga Amira Nabil Hoda Y. Abdallah Hoda Y. Abdallah |
| author_sort | Eman Ahmed El-Attar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Egypt is the third most densely inhabited African country. Due to the economic burden and healthcare costs of overpopulation, genomic and genetic testing is a huge challenge. However, in the era of precision medicine, Egypt is taking a shift in approach from “one-size-fits all” to more personalized healthcare via advancing the practice of medical genetics and genomics across the country. This shift necessitates concrete knowledge of the Egyptian genome and related diseases to direct effective preventive, diagnostic and counseling services of prevalent genetic diseases in Egypt. Understanding disease molecular mechanisms will enhance the capacity for personalized interventions. From this perspective, we highlight research efforts and available services for rare genetic diseases, communicable diseases including the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID19), and cancer. The current state of genetic services in Egypt including availability and access to genetic services is described. Drivers for applying genomics in Egypt are illustrated with a SWOT analysis of the current genetic/genomic services. Barriers to genetic service development in Egypt, whether economic, geographic, cultural or educational are discussed as well. The sensitive topic of communicating genomic results and its ethical considerations is also tackled. To understand disease pathogenesis, much can be gained through the advancement and integration of genomic technologies via clinical applications and research efforts in Egypt. Three main pillars of multidisciplinary collaboration for advancing genomics in Egypt are envisaged: resources, infrastructure and training. Finally, we highlight the recent national plan to establish a genome center that will aim to prepare a map of the Egyptian human genome to discover and accurately determine the genetic characteristics of various diseases. The Reference Genome Project for Egyptians and Ancient Egyptians will initialize a new genomics era in Egypt. We propose a multidisciplinary governance system in Egypt to support genomic medicine research efforts and integrate into the healthcare system whilst ensuring ethical conduct of data. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T05:37:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d9cd243928f5469bbaa53abc86bf221e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-8021 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T05:37:00Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Genetics |
| spelling | doaj.art-d9cd243928f5469bbaa53abc86bf221e2022-12-22T02:09:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Genetics1664-80212022-05-011310.3389/fgene.2022.797465797465Genomics in Egypt: Current Status and Future AspectsEman Ahmed El-Attar0Rasha Mohamed Helmy Elkaffas1Sarah Ahmed Aglan2Iman S. Naga3Amira Nabil4Hoda Y. Abdallah5Hoda Y. Abdallah6Chemical Pathology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptClinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptChemical Pathology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptDepartment of Microbiology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptDepartment of Human Genetics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptMedical Genetics Unit, Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, EgyptCenter of Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, EgyptEgypt is the third most densely inhabited African country. Due to the economic burden and healthcare costs of overpopulation, genomic and genetic testing is a huge challenge. However, in the era of precision medicine, Egypt is taking a shift in approach from “one-size-fits all” to more personalized healthcare via advancing the practice of medical genetics and genomics across the country. This shift necessitates concrete knowledge of the Egyptian genome and related diseases to direct effective preventive, diagnostic and counseling services of prevalent genetic diseases in Egypt. Understanding disease molecular mechanisms will enhance the capacity for personalized interventions. From this perspective, we highlight research efforts and available services for rare genetic diseases, communicable diseases including the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID19), and cancer. The current state of genetic services in Egypt including availability and access to genetic services is described. Drivers for applying genomics in Egypt are illustrated with a SWOT analysis of the current genetic/genomic services. Barriers to genetic service development in Egypt, whether economic, geographic, cultural or educational are discussed as well. The sensitive topic of communicating genomic results and its ethical considerations is also tackled. To understand disease pathogenesis, much can be gained through the advancement and integration of genomic technologies via clinical applications and research efforts in Egypt. Three main pillars of multidisciplinary collaboration for advancing genomics in Egypt are envisaged: resources, infrastructure and training. Finally, we highlight the recent national plan to establish a genome center that will aim to prepare a map of the Egyptian human genome to discover and accurately determine the genetic characteristics of various diseases. The Reference Genome Project for Egyptians and Ancient Egyptians will initialize a new genomics era in Egypt. We propose a multidisciplinary governance system in Egypt to support genomic medicine research efforts and integrate into the healthcare system whilst ensuring ethical conduct of data.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.797465/fullgenomicsEgyptcancercommunicable diseaseCOVID 19governance |
| spellingShingle | Eman Ahmed El-Attar Rasha Mohamed Helmy Elkaffas Sarah Ahmed Aglan Iman S. Naga Amira Nabil Hoda Y. Abdallah Hoda Y. Abdallah Genomics in Egypt: Current Status and Future Aspects Frontiers in Genetics genomics Egypt cancer communicable disease COVID 19 governance |
| title | Genomics in Egypt: Current Status and Future Aspects |
| title_full | Genomics in Egypt: Current Status and Future Aspects |
| title_fullStr | Genomics in Egypt: Current Status and Future Aspects |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genomics in Egypt: Current Status and Future Aspects |
| title_short | Genomics in Egypt: Current Status and Future Aspects |
| title_sort | genomics in egypt current status and future aspects |
| topic | genomics Egypt cancer communicable disease COVID 19 governance |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.797465/full |
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