Materia Medica Malaysiana

Database To Understand Genetic Differences In The Offing

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- In an effort to help researchers better understand the scope of genetic differences among Asian population, a group of scientists is to conduct a study of genetic diversity in the region.

The study themed "The Human Genome Organisation Pacific Pan-Asian SNP Initiative", is expected to provide detailed and comprehensive genetic picture of Asian population.

The Pan-Asian SNP Initiative secretariat said results of the study would be fed into a public database to help researchers understand better the genetic differences in the Asian population.

The Pan-Asian SNP Initiative was established by scientists from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan.

"Just as families share certain genetic characteristics, Pan-Asian scientists believe regional Asian populations share unique genetic variations that go back to thousands of years," Executive Director of Genome Institute of Singapore Prof Edison Liu said in a statement Friday.

He said the study would give scientists a genetic map of human history in Asia, showing how nearly half the world's population migrated through the region and settled to form distinct cultures known today.

President of HUGO Pacific Dr Yoshi Sakaki said data from the study would provide the platform for researchers in this region to investigate why some populations were prone to certain diseases or did not respond to certain drugs.

"The initiative will also provide training in population genetics for young researchers in this region and foster additional health studies," he added.