Doha to host top health conference in March

The Sixth International Conference on Environmental Mutagens in Human Populations will be held in Doha from March 26 to 29, as a part of a series of international conferences designed to identify solutions for important human health problems caused by environmental factors. The conference aims to establish collaborative research programs in this field in Qatar, the GCC region and around the world, Qatari daily (The Peninsula) reported Wednesday. Organized by Qatar Foundation, Environmental Mutagen Society and the International Association of Environmental Mutagen Societies, the Qatar event will focus on the local and regional application of genetic testing, risk assessment and policy-making to protect both human health and the environment. All interested in this field of study are invited to take part and contribute to the conference by submitting their abstracts by January 22. Students and junior researchers who submit their abstracts will be especially honored as the best will be selected for oral and poster presentations at the conference and will be eligible for travel awards. Outstanding presentations from students and junior investigators will be awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place with the presenters receiving recognition, a trophy and a monetary prize. Vice President for Research at Qatar Foundation Dr. Abdelali Haoudi said: "This is an extremely important area of environmental health and a particular field that has been left undeveloped in the Arab World is the prevention and treatment of mutagenesis: mutations that cause cancer and birth defects – both priority health issues in Qatar and the region - caused by environmental factors. The Qatar edition, supported by Qatar Foundation, aims to build on the success of previous conferences that which sparked the development of new scientific programmes and collaboration among participants."