The UAE and Qatar are developing national genome programmes to improve disease prevention, enable early diagnosis, and deliver personalised treatment plans
Over the past decade, genome sequencing has become faster, cheaper and more accessible, just as the Gulf faces a rising burden of genetic and chronic diseases that traditional healthcare systems struggle to predict early or treat effectively.
At the same time, countries in the region have been pouring resources into “future-ready” infrastructure, with healthcare at the forefront. The Covid-19 pandemic only highlighted the need for national genomic capabilities that can be deployed at scale and at speed, accelerating the shift toward precision medicine in the Gulf.
The UAE’s Population-Scale Experiment
The Emirati Genome Programme (EGP), launched in 2019, aims to change healthcare in the UAE. By sequencing the entire genomes of Emirati nationals, the project is building one of the world’s largest and most detailed population genetic databases.
So far, the EGP has collected over 800,000 genetic samples. By connecting this genomic data with health records, the programme can spot hereditary risks, improve diagnoses, and help shape public health policy. Participants give a blood sample or cheek swab, and their full genome is sequenced. Researchers then look for genetic variants that might affect health, comparing people with and without certain conditions to find mutations unique to Emiratis. They also consider lifestyle and medical history to get a clearer picture of genetic risk.
“This is how we can understand how changes in the genome affect traits, disease risk and how individuals respond to certain drugs,” Dr Marc Haber, an associate professor of human genetics at the University of Birmingham’s Dubai campus, tells WIRED Middle East.
Why Reference Genomes Matter
Without Emirati reference data, it has been tough to predict disease risk, interpret clinical results, or know how well certain drugs will work. Most genomic tools rely on European data, which often does not translate well to other populations. Differences in genetic variants can make it hard to tell if a finding is rare or important, and local gene-environment interactions can change both disease risk and how people respond to treatment.
Most genomic research still focuses on people of European ancestry, which means Arab populations are often left out. This gap means that genetic variants common in the Middle East, like some BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations linked to breast cancer, are missing from standard tests. Drug guidelines based on European data may also be less accurate for local patients.
“A population-specific genome project reveals which genetic findings apply locally and highlights variants unique to the population that contribute to disease,” says Haber.
From Sequencing to Clinical Care
The EGP uses advanced DNA sequencing and AI to move toward personalised medicine. The idea is to match prevention and treatment to each person’s genetics, medical history, and lifestyle, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. The main challenge is turning all this genomic data into everyday clinical decisions that healthcare systems can actually keep up with.
The goal is to map the genomes of one million Emiratis, creating a national reference that will push precision medicine forward and help fill a big gap in global genetic data.
A large UAE dataset also helps fix the lack of diversity in global genomics. Better reference data and clearer interpretation of genetic variants make disease and drug-response predictions more accurate –not just for Emiratis, but for other populations with similar genetic backgrounds.
Participation is voluntary, with DNA samples collected at dozens of centres across all seven emirates. All genetic information is securely encrypted, kept confidential and used only with the participant’s consent, in line with UAE safety and privacy regulations.
Qatar’s Bet on Population Genomics
Qatar has taken an early lead in Gulf genomics, launching the Qatar Genome Programme (QGP) in 2015. The programme combines whole-genome sequencing with detailed health and physical data from the Qatar Biobank. So far, more than 45,000 Qatari genomes have been sequenced.
The QGP’s goal is to build a national reference genome that helps researchers understand the local population, spot region-specific genetic traits, and improve disease prevention and treatment. By focusing on Qatari and Arab populations, the programme supports medical guidelines that actually fit local genetic profiles, leading to more accurate diagnoses and better future treatments.
Turning Genomic Research Into a Health System
Building on the foundations of the QBB and the QGP, the Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI) translates genomic research into a coordinated national healthcare system for large-scale, safe and efficient clinical implementation. “The goal is to optimise healthcare resources using the country’s own data to deliver better health outcomes to patients,” says Dr Dima Darwish, head of genomics education at QPHI.
There are already early signs of impact. Genomic data are being used in research and clinical care, especially for inherited disease, cancer risk and drug response. Clinicians are using genetic information to improve diagnosis and sometimes guide treatment. Most importantly, a Qatar-specific genomic reference is being built, and its health impact will grow as data and follow-up expand.
Precision medicine, Darwish explains, uses genetic data alongside health markers to customise prevention, diagnosis, and care. By pinpointing locally prevalent genetic diseases, researchers can predict illness sooner, diagnose faster, and improve how patients are treated.
When the Genome Changes the Prescription
Researchers collect blood, saliva, and other samples to connect common genetic traits to illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and inherited conditions. This is especially important for pharmacogenetics, which looks at how genes affect how people respond to medication. For example, about 22% of Qataris do not respond well to some blood thinners.
Prescribing the wrong drug can lead to clotting and hospitalisation. Genome-based prescribing reduces complications and healthcare costs. “Using a patient’s genome to choose the right medication benefits both the patient and the healthcare system,” Darwish says.
Public Buy-In and Ethical Guardrails
Participation in the genome programme is voluntary and based on informed consent, and Qatar’s genome programme has been largely well-received by the public. Health experts and researchers explained the programme through public campaigns, clinics and community outreach, focusing on what participation involves, data protection and public health benefits.
Concerns about privacy and data use have been addressed with transparency, ethical oversight, and clear rules. Early surveys showed strong support, with a 2016 survey finding that 71% of Qataris were willing to take part in genomics research. Targeted campaigns have raised awareness about the health benefits of genomics, but ongoing education is still needed to explain how the process works.
When it comes to any privacy and information security concerns, genetic data is anonymised, encrypted, stored securely and not sent abroad. Authorised researchers can access it, but cannot download it. Participants may withdraw at any time, and if they do, their information will be deleted. The process follows Qatar’s Ministry of Health regulations and Islamic bioethics, which have guided the country’s genome programme from the start, aligning with principles of protecting life, preventing harm, preserving dignity and serving the public good.
What Comes Next
A future goal is to integrate genomic data into electronic medical records, enabling early risk detection and personalised care. “Genomics will be embedded in the healthcare system, shifting care from reactive to proactive,” Darwish asserts.
The next step is to scale up, integrate, and apply these efforts. This means getting more people involved, improving health and environmental data, and using genomic insights in everyday care where it makes sense. Building technical and clinical skills is also a priority. Qatar’s experience is attracting attention both in the region and worldwide. As more evidence and clinical use build up, the programme will help fill global gaps in turning large-scale population data into real-world healthcare and precision medicine.
Originally published in WIRED Middle East