TEHRAN — Over 30,000 kids with disabilities are born in Iran every year, said the chief of State Welfare Organization of Iran, Anoushiravan Mohseni Bandpey on Wednesday.

In a seminar focusing on the importance of genetic counseling and preventing disabilities from transmitting, Mohseni noted that most innate disabilities are caused by genetic disorders, the IRNA news agency reported.

“Many of these disabilities can be easily prevented by genetic testing and determining the chances of passing on a genetic disorder,” he noted.

Mohseni mentioned that there are currently 250 genetic counseling centers nationwide helping people learn about their genetic conditions.

“If dealt timely, it would be possible to reduce the birth rate of innate disabilities to zero,” he said.

Pointing that the genetic counseling dates back to 1997 in Iran, Mohseni highlighted that these centers will offer free services to those who can’t afford to do the tests as taking care of someone with disability costs more than 15 million rials (about $500) per month.

Unfortunately, many genetic tests are not insured and we are doing our best to have insurance companies take up the expenses of some of the most recurrent tests, Mohseni said.

He also commented on the abortion and noted that it is legally permitted to terminate pregnancy if the fetus suffers specific disorders a little after the first trimester.
MQ