BOOK REVIEWS

Arab Genetic Disorders:
A Layman’s Guide
Author: Prof. Ernest L. Abel
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc. (www.mcfarlandpub.com)
2003

Reviewed by The Ambassadors Research Foundation

 

In 2001, Dr. Ernest L. Abel, a "Distinguished Professor" in the Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Psychology at Wayne State University published a book entitled Jewish Genetic Disorders: A Layman's Guide. Two years later, his latest book was released. The 161-page, 12-chapter volume is entitled, Arab Genetic Disorders: A Layman's Guide.


Similar to the structure of his first book, he begins with the discussion of the basic facts about genetics and genetic diseases, then he tries to answer the questions of who are the Arabs? Why there is relatively high frequency of some genetic disorders among Arab populations? These disorders are then classified into chapters dealing with: blood, cardiovascular, central nervous system, connective tissue, digestive system, endocrine system, metabolic, neuromuscular, respiratory, sensory, skeletal, and skin. From his pioneering medical experience, Prof. Abel offers a guideline for those interested in genetic counseling for Arabs in general, and for Arab-Americans in particular. The book discusses monogenic, polygenic, multi-factorial, and chromosomal disorders. In the last chapter of the book, he tries to answer the question on how to eliminate Arab genetic diseases. The book also includes a valuable appendix with the names and contacts of different genetic screening centers in the United States.

 He showed that hereditary illnesses are as old as mankind and that there is evidence for example of the blood disease thalassemia found in bones unearthed from a site in Israel dating back to Neolithic times. Interestingly, he mentions that over 100 million people today have at least one of the genes of this disorder, making it one of the world's most common genetic disorders today with a higher frequency among Mediterranean people, sometimes being referred to as Mediterranean anemia.

It is well known that certain genetic disorders tend to occur in some ethnic groups more than others.
Prof. Abel explains in his book how high consanguineous marriage rates and large family size are key factors leading to the presence of a characteristic disease profile, with more autosomal recessive disorders and "new" syndromes among Arabs (Teebi & Farag, 1997, Genetic Disorders Among Arab Populations, NY: Oxford Univ. Press). He showed that in 1999, 374 genetic disorders were identified in the Arab population and that 34%-45% of the patients referred to genetic clinics in the Arab World, had an autosomal recessive disorder.

Dr. Abel's book offers interesting data for family physicians and genetic counselors about carrier detection programs and pre-marital counseling. He presented two cases that demonstrate the effectiveness of these programs in non-Arab populations. The examples include the decreasing incidence of Tay-Sachs births in the Jewish community as well as thalassemia in Cyprus, Sardinia, and north-east Italy. The book also offers valuable information about pre-natal diagnosis: both amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS).

Overall, Prof. Abel's book is a valuable one, written by a high-caliber medical scientist who succeeded in presenting the very complex scientific facts in an interesting palatable manner with the clear objective of educating the educators who offer the genetic medical services for inbred Arab populations. The Ambassadors Research Foundation recommends that this book be placed in all medical libraries and to be distributed among family physicians and genetic associates.

     

Other Books by Prof. Ernest L. Abel:

Prof. Ernest L. Abel can be reached at his address: Dept. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mott Center, 275 E. Hancock Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.


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