TEHRAN - Head of the Medical Genetics Department of Iran dismisses the view that the rate of hereditary diseases have not increased in Iran, saying more than 50% of the first semester abortions are because of genetic abnormalities.

Dr. Saeed Reza Ghaffari also says genetic disorders have not increased in the recent decades particularly in the recent years.
However, Ghaffari said methods to diagnose genetic diseases have improved so now such diseases can be diagnosed better, faster and less costly.
There has been a rapid progress in diagnosing genetic diseases in the world including Iran, Ghaffari explained, according to Mehr News Agency.
He also said the Medical Genetics Department of Iran is set to hold a meeting on genetic diseases from June 20-21 at Imam Khomeini hospital