Complete genome of an Arabian camel has been decoded and mapped by a team of international scientists, in an effort for developing potential drugs for treatment of cancer and AIDS.

This was done by a team of 20 scientists from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology or KACST and Beijing Genomics Institute BGI.

It has been claimed by the scientists that camels and humans have 57% of genes, which are similar.

Abdulaziz al-Swailem, a Senior Scientist with KACST explained that with an extensive research on the immune system of the camel, new vaccines and different treatments can be developed for curing diseases like cancer, AIDS, and Hepatitis C.

Abdulaziz also said that it will also help in improving the health and physical strength of the camels and finding out treatments for many diseases, from which the mammal suffers. Also, the quality of camel meat will be improved.

Inclusive knowledge of the gene structure will help the scientists around the world to know how it produces "highly nutritious and medically valuable milk", noted a joint statement from the two institutes.

According to Jian Wang, BGI's Director, the sequencing will assist the global genomics and post genomics research for a better understanding of camel's physiological and biochemical characteristics, so the mankind is benefitted.