Week3-Essay1 KKJ

ref: http://www.etnews.com/20160601000113

We need to relax regulation of genetic analysis industry to promote it in future.

Recently, genetic testing list which is allowed to private genetic analysis company was made public by Ministry of Health and Welfare. Originally, requesting genetic screening was difficult to access by ordinary people. By this policy, however, anyone can use services for checking their body data like skin senescence, cholesterol or metabolism of lipid. Also, it forms foundation for gene analysis business.

One disappointing point of this policy is core gene was excluded from allowed gene for analysis. The reason why genetic testing industry increasing is that people want to expect their disease based on their genetic information and prevent it by controlling eating habits, daily life pattern or body shape as we want to live longer. However, this policy is too weak to fulfill target customers needs. Other countries already broaden gene range for genetic analysis, from the point that aging speed of Korean society is faster than developing countries, so government should consider policy once more.   

Some people would say reckless permission of genetic screening could cause side effect. However, this point of problem can be solved by giving permission of identifying their genetic information only to the person who applies analysis. Scope of information should be controlled by customer, as companies don’t know impact of genetic information to his or her life.

As aging society approaching all over the world by progress of medical technology, it is obvious that health or medical care industry is promising. Even though many companies are trying to start genetic analysis industry, but knowledge of gene is still in its infancy. If government extends gene range for analysis, we can cultivate Korean disease map database and apply it for genome study and enter the global genetic analysis market