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Title: Scientists map out first Asian genome
Source:
Shenzhen Daily / Xinhuanet
URL Source: [None]
Published: Oct 12, 2007
Author: Unattributed
Post Date: 2007-10-25 23:34:49 by Tauzero
Keywords: None
Views: 1602
Comments: 8
Scientists map out first Asian genome BEIJING, Oct. 12 -- Scientists have successfully completed the first sequence map of the diploid genome of an Asian individual. The sequence was worked out by a group of scientists in Shenzhen and is now on display at the Ninth Annual China Hi-Tech Fair in the city. The results, based on a Chinese, represent only the third human genome to have been sequenced in the world. The sequence map was created using advanced sequencing technology. American scientists earlier this year created the first two genome sequence maps, of two Caucasian people. The Chinese project was undertaken by the Shenzhen branch of the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), along with the National Engineering Research Center of Systematic Bioinformatics and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Exploring genetic codes has become a basic and essential part of the life sciences. Wang Jun, the leader of the project and vice-director of BIG's Shenzhen branch, said that all people share the vast majority of genetic information that makes us human beings. However, small differences, corresponding to just a fraction of the whole genome, determine traits such as skin color, height, susceptibility to diseases and responses to therapies and environments. "We can never change our genes, but we can understand our genetic structure better by creating a fine map of our genome sequence. This is very helpful in preventing or controlling diseases, such as cancers," Wang said. The project picked a normal Chinese man of Han nationality, and spent half a year analyzing his genome sequence. Wang said that if all of the copies of the printed reports were stacked up, they would reach more than 300m high. Now that the first diploid reference genome of an Asian has been completed, the next step of the project will be to sequence the genomes of more individuals to identify genetic variations in Asian populations and explore the essential mechanisms behind many diseases. Wang said the researchers would soon select 99 Chinese people for the project. The number of research subjects will be expanded to 10,000 in the following couple of years. "Everyone will have his genome sequenced in the near future for better healthcare," he said. At the same time, the project is trying to lower the cost to popularize the technology, Yang Huanming, director of the Beijing Institute of Genomics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said. Yang said the first two genome sequences made in America cost about $3 billion. The project in Shenzhen, however, has lowered the cost to 5 million U.S. dollars. It is expected that the cost will drop to 200,000 yuan (26,300 dollars) by 2010. "Our final goal is to reduce the cost to less than 10,000 yuan, so that the technology will benefit more people," Yang said. He said he hoped that in the near future genome sequencing for patients would become as common as a physical examination. The Ninth China Hi-Tech Fair ends next Wednesday.
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#1. To: Tauzero (#0)
Any chance they'll find the one that makes them hate round eyes and drive poorly?
Or be short, scrawny, and have tiny dinks?
"He is a very shallow critic who cannot see an eternal rebel in the heart of a conservative." - G.K. Chesterton
It's the butter smell.
#2. To: Paul Revere (#1)
Any chance they'll find the one that makes them hate round eyes and drive poorly?
#3. To: Paul Revere (#1)
 | Semper Libertas Virtute perennis |
#4. To: Tauzero (#0)
I want to volunteer! (except I'm not Asian)
#5. To: YertleTurtle (#2)
That means they are more civilized, more evolved, something like that.
Or be short, scrawny, and have tiny dinks?
#6. To: Tauzero (#0) (Edited)
Scientific American recently reported on a theory that there's a gene for tonal languages like Chinese, which Europeans don't have.
I've already said too much.
#7. To: Tauzero (#0)
I bet they copied the genome of something else, and made a few adjustments for color. Seeing as how they can copy the living shit out of everything we make, but can't create or come up with anything new of their own.
Dying for old bastards, and their old money, isn't my idea of freedom.
#8. To: Diana (#5)
That means they are more civilized, more evolved, something like that. Negroes: big dinks, no brains. Asians: lots of brains (no creativity, just copy the white man), tiny dinks. Whites (like Goldilocks):...just right. Civilized? I was in the grocery store a few days ago, behind some older Asian guy, about 60. He was buying about 100 bottles of soda, on sale, to resell in his tiny little store in the ghetto. He accused the checker and the bagger of treating him like a thief because they counting each bottle. He was really rude. I looked at him (I was a foot taller) and said, in a loud voice, "Boy's in the wrong country!" He looked at me, realized he was in over his head, and shut up, After he left, the checker explained that was the second time that day he had come to to buy hundreds of bottles of soda, to resell in his tiny store. He paid for them with food stamps.
Or be short, scrawny, and have tiny dinks?
"He is a very shallow critic who cannot see an eternal rebel in the heart of a conservative." - G.K. Chesterton
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