Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MUSCAT1939
2005-12-31 13:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

HOUSE CALL ON GENETIC RESEARCH

Tags:  TBIO SCUL SOCI TSPL MU ESTH 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS MUSCAT 001939 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI; NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY); OES/IHA
AMMAN FOR EST HUB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SCUL SOCI TSPL MU ESTH
SUBJECT: HOUSE CALL ON GENETIC RESEARCH

-------
Summary
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UNCLAS MUSCAT 001939

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI; NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY); OES/IHA
AMMAN FOR EST HUB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SCUL SOCI TSPL MU ESTH
SUBJECT: HOUSE CALL ON GENETIC RESEARCH

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Summary
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1. (SBU) On December 13, the Ambassador received a delegation
of four geneticists from Harvard Medical School and their
colleague from the Omani Ministry of Health. The group
discussed their collaborative research into the genetic
mutations that are causing such a high incidence of
neurological disorders in the Omani populace, and expressed
their hope of founding a research clinic in Oman to stop the
spread of such mutations. End Summary.

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Putting On a Clinic
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2. (SBU) Dr. Anna Rajab of the Omani Ministry of Health and
four colleagues from Harvard Medical School - Dr. Christopher
Walsh, Adria Bodell, Seung-Yun Soo, and Ganesh Moshida - paid
a courtesy call on the Ambassador to inform him of their
desire to open a research clinic in the Sultanate. Dr. Rajab
noted that there are 3,000 new cases of disabilities each
year in Oman caused by genetic defects. She mentioned that
Dr. Walsh would be visiting the town of Rustaq, where one
family has suffered ten cases of cerebral palsy due to
genetic defect. Dr. Walsh added that research in Oman could
deepen understanding of cerebral palsy in the United States.


3. (SBU) In response to Ambassador's query about the doctors'
possible cooperation with Sultan Qaboos University, Dr. Rajab
repeated several times that "I have nothing to learn from
them." She recounted the university's difficulties in
completing grant projects and training staff properly. The
delegation from Harvard added that establishing a clinic was
important because it could provide services, whereas a
university center would be legally restricted to research.

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Next Steps
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4. (SBU) The delegation sought no specific assistance from
the Ambassador, but wanted to inform him of their efforts.
In response to the Ambassador's query, they promised to send
him a concept paper for the clinic.

BALTIMORE