The Ministry of Science and Technology said Friday that Korea will streamline and strengthen its human genome research potential by setting up a National Genome Information Center (NGIC).
The measure is expected to consolidate efforts being carried but by numerous public and private institutions to crack the human genetic makeup. Competing authorities and labs have been cited for causing overlapping, redundant research that wastes investment capital.
A government official said...that the move reflects the government's desire to promote bioengineering as a strategic industry of the future.
He added that the center should also bring about a synergy effect where one breakthrough supports advances in other related areas. He said that since it was unrealistic to create a completely new research organ from scratch, the Korean Research Institute of Biosciences and Technology in Taejon will be designated as the new genome center, while the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information will be named as a supporting organization.