The world's first Korean genome has been decoded
South Korean scientists have announced the completion of work on the world's first gene sequence derived from the DNA of a Korean. The researchers now intend to develop, based on the data obtained, an individual diet and medical care for a person whose genome has been completely decoded.
Kim Seng Jin, an oncological research specialist, became the first resident of the Korean peninsula to be treated using a "personalized gene technique". His genome was completely decoded by himself and his colleagues from the University of Medical Sciences in Gachen with the support of the Korean Bioinformatics Center.
Earlier, scientists from 6 countries – the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, Japan and China - announced the creation of complete genome maps. Korean scientists say that although six countries have announced the decoding of genomes, they all used different techniques. The most accurate technology – individual decoding and sequencing of individual genes – was carried out by only two countries - the USA and China. Now Korea has joined this descent.
"The importance of compiling a complete gene sequence cannot be overestimated, this technique will help people live a longer and healthier life. If a person has a complete picture of his or her genome, then this data will help scientists prevent the development of dangerous diseases such as cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, and also make an ideal diet and daily routine taking into account all the characteristics of each individual," the Korean Bioinformatics Center says.
"In the future, it will be enough for a doctor to simply examine the human genome to prescribe a particular course of treatment," Korean experts are sure.
Now in Korea, more than $ 300,000 has been spent on genome compilation, but in 5-7 years doctors hope to make this procedure much more affordable, reducing its cost to $ 700 per person.
According to experts, in 2010 several hundred people will have a complete map of their genome, and by 2014 the number of such people will be measured in hundreds of thousands.