Genetic Medicine

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Sun, 24 Aug 1997 

Genetic research within the Bedouin community

From: Clinical Genetics Unit, Soroka Medical Center, Beer Sheva 

Medical staff at the Clinical Genetic Unit at Soroka Medical Center conducts all the genetic counseling in the Negev area. The main part of their research is conducted within the Bedouin population, a population which experiences many genetic problems specific to their community because of 60% in-breeding within the population. The result of this in-breeding is a high rate of birth defects and hereditary disease within the population. 

Ongoing research in the Clinical Genetic Unit at Soroka Medical Center focuses on gene mapping of inherited diseases. Once a gene is known, doctors and researchers within the Unit are able to provide the family with information in order prevent children with birth defects being born into an in-bred marriage. Already, seven genes have been mapped which cause, as a result of in-breeding, hereditary diseases. These include: two genes for deafness; three genes for a disease which causes mental retardation, obesity and blindness; one gene for a kidney disorder; and one gene for defects of the abdominal mid-line found in Libyan Jews. 

Batia Kuris, Soroka Medical Center 
E-mail: soroka@bgumail.bgu.ac.il