TEHRAN - The Iranian Medical Genetics Department (IMGD) is able to develop a plan to screen 29 genetic metabolic diseases in the country, IMGD chief Saeed Reza Ghaffari announced on Monday.

“By directing the pilot study of screening 29 genetic disorders, we can prevent (congenital) disabilities through proper diet after diagnosis,” Ghaffari told the Tehran Times on the sidelines of the second congress on medical genetics held at Imam Khomeini hospital.
Metabolic diseases such as PKU (Phenylketonuria) and hypothyroidism are among the main disorders which are now being screened in Iranian newborns, Ghaffari explained.
By considering the rapid progress of medical genetics in Iran “I advise (health) authorities to be more cooperative with such progresses in decreasing the genetic diseases and lower therapeutic costs,” he added.