Our expertise bridges the gap between complex genetic heritage and practical public health services. We provide consultancy to Ministries of Health on national policies and standards for human genetics and genomics, carefully adapted to each community's specific genetic history and its impact on genetic diseases.
An evolutionary population and medical geneticist specialized in policy on genomics for public health. Senior strategic advisor to Ministries of Health in the Arab world and the Gulf region on policy analysis and development of national human genomics, capacity building, and health systems integration of genomics at national levels.
Recognized for bridging scientific rigor with cultural sensitivity, bringing together cross-sectoral disciplines and diverse perspectives into a shared vision, with a proven ability to deliver evidence-based, actionable advice to senior leadership for ministerial decision-making.
The advisory board is being constituted to bring together expertise across international, national, and academic institutions, established in collaboration with a renowned Swiss genomics laboratory operating under Swiss law and the highest ISO standards of laboratory management and data protection. This includes experts with strong expertise of the genetics of Middle Eastern and North African populations.
Middle Eastern populations carry unique genetic signatures shaped by historical migration patterns, founder effects, and traditional marriage among close relatives.[1]
Combined with traditional consanguineous marriages (20–50% rates region-wide), this genetic history results in higher risk for rare diseases, with ~7% of births affected by congenital anomalies — significantly higher than global rates.[2]
However, with over 350 million people across 17 Middle Eastern countries, only a few have comprehensive national genomics public health policy or programs, others have partial or no programs, leaving many communities without access to screening and care that could protect generations to come.[3]
[1] Chekroun, I., Shenbagam, S., Almarri, M.A. et al. Genomics of rare diseases in the Greater Middle East. Nat Genet 57,505–514 (2025). doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02075-8
[2] Live birth prevalence of major congenital anomalies in the United Arab Emirates. Scientific Reports. 2025;15. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85567-1 · Tadmouri GO, et al. Consanguinity and reproductive health among Arabs. Reproductive Health. 2009;6:17. doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-6-17
[3] Ateia H, Ogrodzki P, Wilson HV, Ganesan S, Halwani R, Koshy A, Zaher WA. Population Genome Programs across the Middle East and North Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Future Directions. Biomed Hub. 2023;8(1):60–71. doi.org/10.1159/000530619. PMID: 37900972
* MENA countries highlighted in green are those where we can currently offer our support. Countries shown in grey are not excluded, but other, more urgent public health priorities may take precedence at this time.
Genome Sequencing Capacity Assessment
Infrastructure evaluation and benchmarking
Genetic & Genomic Policy Development
Translating genetic evidence into national policy frameworks
Public Health System Integration
Embedding genomic medicine into national care pathways
Stakeholder Ecosystem Engagement
Multi-sectoral collaboration and capacity building
Global Expert Network
International partnerships and knowledge transfer
Strategic Planning & Program Management
End-to-end institutional support, from policy design to enactment
Genetic and genomic data generated within a country's health system remains under that nation's legal and institutional sovereignty.
Clear, culturally appropriate informed-consent standards for testing, research use, and biobanking, aligned with international norms, adapted to local context.
Explicit rules for if, when, and how data may be shared internationally for research or clinical collaboration, with audit and accountability anchored in the legislation.
Priority given to building in-country storage, analysis, and workforce capacity to build, leverage and maintain sovereign capability.
A phased engagement, built around your ministry's priorities
Landscape review, benchmarking, and stakeholder consultation. Devise a tailored plan for first steps
Engage with key government, medical and community-based beneficiaries to fine-tune the first analyses. Draft national standards and policy framework with ministry counterparts
Implementation strategy, action plan, workforce and infrastructure alignment. Ongoing national and international partnerships and knowledge transfer
Homa Attar, PhD
Geneva, Switzerland
homa.attar@hayatgenomics.me
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