A novel spectroscopic Mueller matrix system has been developed and explored for both fluorescence and elastic scattering polarimetric measurements from biological tissues. The 4 × 4 Mueller matrix measurement strategy is based on sixteen spectrally resolved (λ = 400 - 800 nm) measurements performed by sequentially generating and analyzing four elliptical polarization states. Eigenvalue calibration of the system ensured high accuracy of Mueller matrix measurement over a broad wavelength range, either for forward or backscattering geometry. The system was explored for quantitative fluorescence and elastic scattering spectroscopic polarimetric studies on normal and precancerous tissue sections from human uterine cervix. The fluorescence spectroscopic Mueller matrices yielded an interesting diattenuation parameter, exhibiting differences between normal and precancerous tissues.

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ConclusionsThe focus on premarital carrier matching was presented in this study as the result of a community-based and culturesensitive process. Embedding genetic counselling in the Bedouin community was done for the purpose of marriage and family planning, and is expected to lead eventually to a reduction in the prevalence of affected babies. It remains to be seen whether, in the Bedouin setting, an incompatible result derived from premarital carrier matching would indeed be acted upon. Further research is needed to explore the actual uptake of the genetic counselling service and its use in the decision-making process as regards marriage, family planning and reproduction. AcknowledgementsThe authors wish to thank all the Bedouin respondents and genetic counsellors who participated in this study. They are also indebted to the anonymous journal reviewers for their useful comments. The authors would like to acknowledge the co-operation of two co-investigators who initiated and oversaw the project described here and who were responsible for the tremendous genetic and epidemiological work that preceded this project, namely Profs Ilana Shoham-Vardi and Rivka Carmi. Statements on funding and competing interestsFunding. This study was funded by grants from the Israel Foundation Trustees (Project PS14/3) and the Israel Science Foundation (Grant 769/00-2). Competing interests. None identified. References

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