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Alrefaei AF, Hawsawi YM, Almaleki D, Alafif T, Alzahrani FA, Bakhrebah MA. Genetic data sharing and artificial intelligence in the era of personalized medicine based on a cross-sectional analysis of the Saudi human genome program. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1405. [PMID: 35082362 PMCID: PMC8791994 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05296-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of the Saudi Human Genome Program (SHGP), one of the top ten genomic programs worldwide, is highly dependent on the Saudi population embracing the concept of participating in genetic testing. However, genetic data sharing and artificial intelligence (AI) in genomics are critical public issues in medical care and scientific research. The present study was aimed to examine the awareness, knowledge, and attitude of the Saudi society towards the SHGP, the sharing and privacy of genetic data resulting from the SHGP, and the role of AI in genetic data analysis and regulations. Results of a questionnaire survey with 804 respondents revealed moderate awareness and attitude towards the SHGP and minimal knowledge regarding its benefits and applications. Respondents demonstrated a low level of knowledge regarding the privacy of genetic data. A generally positive attitude was found towards the outcomes of the SHGP and genetic data sharing for medical and scientific research. The highest level of knowledge was detected regarding AI use in genetic data analysis and privacy regulation. We recommend that the SHGP’s regulators launch awareness campaigns and educational programs to increase and improve public awareness and knowledge regarding the SHGP’s benefits and applications. Furthermore, we propose a strategy for genetic data sharing which will facilitate genetic data sharing between institutions and advance Personalized Medicine in genetic diseases’ diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulmajeed F Alrefaei
- Department of Biology, Genetic and Molecular Biology Central Lab, Jamoum University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Yousef M Hawsawi
- Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box 40047, Jeddah, 21499, Saudi Arabia.,MBC: J04/ College of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh, 11533, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Deyab Almaleki
- Department of Evaluation, Measurement, and Research, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tarik Alafif
- Computer Science Department, Jamoum University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Jamoum, 25375, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal A Alzahrani
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Embryonic Stem Cells Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammed A Bakhrebah
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Life Science and Environment Research Institute, P.O. Box 6086, Riyadh, 11442, Saudi Arabia
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