The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Thu, June 30, 2022 | 07:57
Genome Sequencing to Predict, Prevent, Treat Diseases
Posted : 2010-04-02 19:03
Updated : 2010-04-02 19:03
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

You may regard the possibility of foreseeing all the hereditary diseases you could develop in your lifetime and receiving tailor-made prevention or treatment for them as science fiction.

But this is happening in Korea, with conglomerates such as Samsung joining the race. Just seven years after the sequencing of the 3 billion DNA base pairs of the human genome was achieved, the sector business is rapidly emerging as a goldmine for the medical industry.

Each human being has a unique and complicated genetic map, and by sequencing their genes a person could have access to information on whether they have a predisposition to diseases with genetic components ― cancers, diabetes and others.

Samsung Medical Center signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung SDS and Life Technology on March 24 announcing that it will engage in the genome sequencing business.

"We have been passionate about the future of cancer treatment and the most likely target will be leukemia to start with," Rhee Jong-chul, chief director of the center, said. "We will eventually design treatments for individual patients and furthermore, develop target molecular drugs using statistics and data generated. This will be another business model for Korean hospitals, who have limited profit-sources," Rhee said.

Samsung is the newest entrant in the burgeoning business. There are over 20 companies in the U.S. providing initial information with business leaders such as Google and Microsoft joining in as investors.

The results are not only useful in predicting disease, but can also be used in discovering people's heritage.

In Korea, biotech company Theragen has been providing the service since March - the first in Asia. The company is working with Gachon University of Medicine and Science, which sequenced 3 billion base pairs in 2008.

The company's service, "Hellogenom," decodes 1 million genome base pairs per person. By sending a saliva sample from a kit the firm provides, a person can be notified of their susceptibility to 50 to 100 widely known diseases or conditions.

"We have received quite a few requests ― some from overseas. By just paying a certain amount of money, you will be able to know what diseases you may suffer from until you die. It is a big step forward for all mankind," said Park Jong-hwa, a director of the company.

Park said Korea is competitive in analyzing the decoded data.

"Sequencing is just the beginning of the whole process. With help from the top-notch information-technology industry, I bet we are in a far more advantageous position that our competitor countries," he said.

Park was positive about his newest rival, Samsung.

"They must have thought this over numerous times and set up the best business model. I think we can enhance national competitiveness and dominate the market, which is expected to grow to 200 trillion won within the next three to four years," he said.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
 
LG
LG
  • Bodies found in missing family's car in Wando
  • Korea looks to Europe to diversify trade partners as China's growth slows
  • How I lost my period after shooting my first 'body profile'
  • Luna collapse causes chaos
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Asia-Pacific region has potential to lead global decarbonization sector'
  • Yoon, first lady attend gala dinner hosted by King of Spain
  • Korea's first NATO summit to show expanded global role: experts
  • Inflation expectations in S. Korea hit 10-year high in June
  • Korea will stick to principles despite China's objection, PM says
  • South Korea's new COVID-19 cases back up over 10,000 after 20 days
  • [INTERVIEW] With unusual nicknames and backgrounds, MIRAE eyes becoming next big K-pop star [INTERVIEW] With unusual nicknames and backgrounds, MIRAE eyes becoming next big K-pop star
  • [INTERVIEW] Jean-Michel Othoniel's glass garden of enchantment 'is for everybody' [INTERVIEW] Jean-Michel Othoniel's glass garden of enchantment 'is for everybody'
  • Girl group aespa to perform in 'Good Morning America' 2022 Summer Concert Series Girl group aespa to perform in 'Good Morning America' 2022 Summer Concert Series
  • Park Hae-il 'honored' to play war hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin in 'Hansan' Park Hae-il 'honored' to play war hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin in 'Hansan'
  • BTS' J-Hope to prerelease 'More' Friday BTS' J-Hope to prerelease 'More' Friday
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000 [PHOTOS]

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000 [PHOTOS]

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group