Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar University (QU) Health, in collaboration with the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), organised a symposium on ‘Developing Qatar’s Governance and Ethics Framework in Genomics Research’.
The event brought together healthcare educators, researchers, and professionals to discuss pressing ethical concerns in genomics research and propose solutions tailored to the region’s unique regulatory and cultural environment.
This landmark symposium aimed to foster dialogue on ethical governance in genomic studies, empower participants with decision-making tools, and explore frameworks for promoting equitable genomic practices across Qatar and the Middle East.
The symposium featured renowned speakers from QU and other Medical and Academic institutions, including Prof Feras Alali, associate vice president for research and graduate studies at QU; Arzoo Ahmed, director of ethics at Our Future Health, UK, Dr Barry Solaiman, associate dean for student affairs, and assistant professor of law at HBKU; Dr Said Ismail, acting director of the Qatar Genome Programme (QGP), Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI), Dr Khalid Fakhro, chief research officer and director of the healthcare facility’s Precision Medicine program, Sidra Medicine, and Dr Fatima Qafoud, clinic director of Qatar Biobank, QPHI. The presentations covered a wide range of topics, including global ethical guidelines, regulatory frameworks specific to the Middle East, and strategies to ensure the inclusion of diverse populations in genomic studies.
Prof Feras Alali, associate vice president for research and graduate studies at QU, emphasized the importance of ethical considerations in scientific progress, stating, "In Qatar, we must closely examine the ethical challenges surrounding genomic research, particularly in relation to patient privacy and data protection. It is crucial to ensure that individuals’ rights are well respected and that healthcare access is provided equally, without discrimination in genomic research.”
Prof. Alali further added, "This workshop aims to raise awareness about the governance and ethical frameworks in genomic research and to provide recommendations that can be shared with the broader community and decision-makers. Despite Qatar’s notable achievements in this field, there remains a continuous need to ensure that legislation and practices are updated to align with the latest advancements, ensuring accountability and transparency in all scientific endeavours.”
Dr Khalid Fakhro, chief research officer and director of the healthcare facility’s Precision Medicine program, Sidra Medicine, said, "We are proud to attend the conference on developing the governance and ethics framework in genomic research and extend our thanks to the organizers from QU. As we know, genomics is a fascinating and rapidly evolving field, but like any new science, it must be examined from an ethical standpoint.”
Dr Fakhro continued, "Each country and its beliefs may offer unique perspectives on crucial issues such as data privacy, participant rights, ownership of data, maximizing benefits while minimizing harm, and the governance systems for managing and sharing this sensitive information. By gathering experts from various fields, we can collaboratively propose guidelines that will inform legislative bodies in setting governance and ethical laws at the national level.”
Dr Barry Solaiman, assistant dean of students and assistant professor of law at HBKU, stated, "Although the country does not have a specific law dedicated to genomic research yet, I believe there is now enough information to draft a comprehensive document that brings together different perspectives and provides regulatory guidance, possibly paving the way for a future law. The outcome of this conference will likely influence the development of a new medical research law, and I look forward to seeing how the recommendations of the speakers contribute to it.”
Dr Mohammed Ghaly, professor of Islam and Biomedical Ethics at the Centre for Islamic Legislation Ethics (CILE), College of Islamic Studies at HBKU, emphasized the importance of the conference, stating, "This conference is crucial as there is a growing consensus that scientific research requires governance, regulation, and guiding frameworks.”