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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Article
Socio-Cultural, Legal and Ethical Issues Related to Gene Banking in Oman
Author(s)
Zakiya Al-Lamki1, Muna Al-Saadoon1, Wafaa Bashir1, Hamed Abdoon1, Hilal Al-Kharusi2 and Asya Al Riyami2
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DOI:10.17265/2161-6264/2015.08.007
Affiliation(s)
1. Department of Child Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoudh, P.C. 123, Oman
2. Department of Research, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
ABSTRACT
Establishment of genetic databases has socio-cultural, ethical and legal
implications particularly in
developing countries. However, there are no available data in Oman about the community
knowledge and understanding of genetic database and gene banking. Thus, this
study was conducted with the
aim of investigating Omani public awareness on socio-cultural, ethical and
legal aspects of gene studies (with consideration to regional variations) and
to assess the public acceptance of initiating gene banking. This study was
conducted using self-completed questionnaires by a sample of adult Omani
population invited to participate in the study, from 14 health centers, a school and
a university. For illiterate subjects, structured interviews were conducted. There were a total of 1,702 participants with
nearly equal numbers of males and females. The mean age of respondents was 31 (± 12) years for males
and 28 (± 10) years for
females. In general, 9% of the studied population were illiterate and a total of 29% were preparatory
school level and below, classified as the uneducated. While, 60% of the respondents were unemployed. The
awareness on the genetic disposition of some common diseases was generally
higher than 80% with the highest on sickle cell anemia. Only 17% of the
participants had knowledge of genetic databases, 95% of whom were from the
educated group. Public opinion on acceptance of gene banking, participation in
genetic research and setting protection laws in those aware and non-aware,
achieved good scores, indicating public
acceptance of the above.
KEYWORDS
Genetic databases, public acceptance, socio-cultural, legal, ethical and religious aspects.
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