Second Deputy Premier Prince Muqrin launched the Saudi Genome Program at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh on Sunday to find cures for diseases afflicting Saudis.

Lauding the research efforts of scientists, Prince Muqrin said that a study on the human genome was important to help diagnose the patterns of incurable diseases and prevent them at an early stage. The research would be beneficial to treat diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.

The prince promised strict confidentiality in terms of the specimens taken from patients. He also launched a website, www.sgp.kacst.edu.sa, which would give a detailed account of the program. The website outlines all details of the program such as privacy rules, regulations, patient specimens and logistics.

In his opening remarks, KACST President Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel said this was a national effort to identify the genes of the local population, which would allow doctors to treat diseases successfully. Sultan Al-Sudairy from King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh also spoke during the launching ceremony held at the KACST headquarters.

Abdullah Al-Awad, director of the National Center for Biotechnology (NCB) at KACST, told Arab News said that the project would fall under the NCB. Al-Awad said the project would identify genetic bases of diseases in the Saudi population. “We will be coordinating work through a network of 15 genome centers throughout the Kingdom,” he said, adding that the centers are at hospitals and universities in the country.

“Around 100,000 genomes will be targeted during a period of five years.” He said researchers would analyze the data to identify Saudi variances in genomes. Countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada have already initiated similar campaigns.

“With the growth of biotechnology research worldwide, it is important that the Kingdom adopts an effective strategy to take advantage of the latest developments. The biotechnology industry in the Kingdom faces significant challenges, given the growing demand for products in the medical, agricultural and environmental fields. A very important product area within the medical field is the development of therapeutics. The Kingdom also needs to improve the quantity and quality of its agricultural production,” he said.

He said biotechnology contributes to the development of agricultural land and the reclamation of new land to satisfy the need for increased production due to the country's high population growth. Biotechnology also plays an important role in protecting the environment. He said the priority technology areas significant for the Kingdom include chronic and infectious diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes and various diseases affecting the cardiovascular and vascular systems.