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Written by: Zheng Cuibi
2020-06-07 09:00
Last update date: 2020-06-07 09:00There are about 30,000 genes in each person's body, and the code of the genes still leaves an unsolved mystery in the medical world. The government has set aside $1.2 billion to implement the "Hong Kong Genome Project" in the next six years, which will detect genomic sequences for 20,000 cases. The chairman of the Genomic Medicine Steering Committee, Liang Xiansun, said in an interview that he hopes to find more mutant genes through the plan to strengthen the service of IVF, so that the artificial pregnant can first select embryos without genetic mutations and put them back into the mother to reduce fetuses. The risk of developing genetic diseases.
He also pointed out that 70% of the data in the current genetic database referenced in Hong Kong comes from white people, or it affects the accuracy of determining whether a person has a genetic mutation. He hopes that Hong Kong can establish its own database to promote medical research.
Fang Yi (left), deputy secretary general (hygiene) of the Food and Health Bureau, Liang Xiansun (center), chairman of the Genomic Medicine Steering Committee, and Lu Haoming (right), senior doctor of medical genetic services of the Department of Health, were interviewed. (Photo by Gao Zhongming)
"Normal" genetic database is dominated by white people and difficult for Hong Kong people to compare
To know whether a person's genes are mutated, you need to first grasp what is a "normal" gene. Lu Haoming, a senior doctor in the Medical Genetics Service of the Department of Health, pointed out that most global experts now refer to the same database. The genetic ranking of healthy people is similar to the control group, so that doctors can compare genes and study where there are mutations in patient genes. However, about 70% of the genes in this database come from whites, and the rest include blacks, yellows, etc. Lu Haoming pointed out that if Hong Kong refers to this database to determine whether a person has a genetic mutation, it may not be accurate. If there are too many genes, there will be a lot of similarities. If the microphone is equal to a mutation? It may be obvious that there is no mutation, but it is arranged to do an invasive inspection."
The chairman of the Genomic Medicine Steering Committee, Liang Xiansun, also said that even if the same person suffers from thalassemia, the location of genetic changes between Westerners and Chinese is different. If Hong Kong can establish its own genetic database, it will be possible to identify mutations more accurately, and then study whether the mutation is the cause of the disease. He pointed out that the Genome Project will establish a large database of anonymous genomic and clinical data to promote medical research.
Lu Haoming pointed out that if Hong Kong refers to existing databases to determine whether a person has a genetic mutation, it may not be accurate. (Photo by Gao Zhongming)
There are pre-set rules for eliminating problematic embryos
The Genome Project focuses on how to apply genomic data to the clinic to benefit more patients, and may be used to strengthen IVF services in the future. Lu Haoming said that many parents want to avoid passing on hereditary diseases to the next generation. At present, Mary Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital and Yanghe Hospital provide "pre-implantation diagnosis" services for artificially conceived people. The mutated embryo is put back into the mother. He said that diseases that can be "excluded" include 20 to 30 diseases including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, cerebellar atrophy, muscular dystrophy, and glass bone, as well as serious mental or structural defects.
Liang Xiansun emphasized that this approach is not to choose the fetus's gender or IQ, but to choose embryos without disease, there is no ethical problem, and the practice has also greatly reduced the number of people suffering from thalassemia and hemophilia. He hopes that the genome project will help find more mutated genes. "If there is a vicious gene in the future," the IVF service will be strengthened, more problematic embryos will be excluded, and a healthier fetus will be placed on the mother’s belly. in.
Lu Haoming pointed out that there are specific targets for the service. If many of the immediate family members of a woman suffer from a serious illness or her previous baby is defective, the doctor will be arranged to follow up. The doctor will consider the cause, severity, Different factors such as the age of onset and the number of loved ones will decide whether to arrange services.
Liang Xiansun pointed out that he hopes to find more mutated genes through the Hong Kong Genome Project, strengthen the service of IVF, and reduce the risk of fetuses suffering from genetic diseases. (Photo by Gao Zhongming)
Liang Xiansun added that the Genome Project will also provide genetic testing for newborn babies with uncommon diseases. He added that the plan will also study cancer families, common diseases of the elderly, and immune system diseases. "Cognitive disorders, Parkinson's and other elderly diseases, if you have a gene, you will be prone to it. The pathology affects the metabolism and may prevent the disease." He also pointed out that many Asians suffer from the immune system disease of lupus erythematosus, and Westerners often suffer from rheumatoid osteoarthritis. The genome plan may help to study why This happens.
Fang Yi, Deputy Secretary (Health) of the Food and Health Bureau, said that the data collected under the future Genome Project will be stored in the Hong Kong Genome Center, independent of the system of public hospitals. When working with foreign databases, it will also be hidden. Show your profile.
Fang Yi said that the data collected under the future Genome Project will be stored in the Hong Kong Genome Center. (Photo by Gao Zhongming)
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