[Chinese Human Genome Project--opportunity and challenge].
The Chinese Human Genome Project(HGP) started in 1993 and has since made substantial progress in 3 major aspects: the genome resource conservation and genetic polymorphism studies of multiple Chinese nationalities; the development of an advanced technological system for genome research; the cloning of some desease-related genes and a large number of expressed sequence tags(ESTs). At the same time a qualified research team has been formed and some centers for genome studies have been founded in the country. The major tasks in the next phase of the project are: (1) Further expanding the genetic material conservation scope including collection of more DNA samples and establishment of more immortalized cell lines; (2) Developing morbid genomics which includes epidemiological survey and registration, collection, maintenance and banking of the data and genetic material resource; making significant progress in mapping, cloning, mutation screening, and large-scale sequencing of the genes related to tumors, inheritable diseases and particularly multigenic diseases in the hope that a number of genes for important diseases will be obtained; (3) Initiation of the functional genomics which includes studies on bioinformatics, expression spectrum of transcription and translation of the genome in physiological and pathological processes; (4) Enhancing the studies on the ethical, legal and social issues related to human genome sciences.
Shanghai Human Genome Center, Shanghai Institute of Hematology and Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai, 200025 P. R. China. zchen@ms.stn.sh.cn
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D002681:China; D016045:Human Genome Project; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged