GENETIC-DISORDERS AMONG ARAB POPULATIONS

Genetic disorders may be single gene (point-mutation, allelic), polyge nic, chromosomal (deletions, translocations, multiplications) or mitoc hondrial. Such disorders occur at a variable frequency in different po pulations. Several reports indicate that genetic disorders are frequen t in Arab populations, but few detailed epidemiologic studies have bee n conducted so far to determine the exact frequency of each of the gen etic defects. In an attempt to highlight this epidemiological aspect, we extensively surveyed the literature and synthesized the reported da ta. This article outlines briefly the factors influencing the gene fre quency and the steps required towards control and prevention of geneti c disorders in Arab populations.