"If you like 'Preliminary', wait a few months to eat the 'Clone!'" The first press conference held yesterday at the Hi-tech Fair - Huada Genome "The completion of the giant panda genome sequence and the manual cloning of pigs At the press conference, domestic and foreign media reporters were "full". In addition to the two major responsible persons of the Huada genome, they have published and introduced the completion process, scientific and industrial significance of the completion of the "Genetic Sequence Map of the Giant Panda" and the completion of the "Handmade Clone Pig Production". Asking for desire, Yang Huanming, chairman of the Shenzhen Huada Gene Research Institute and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, also spoke wonderfully about questions raised by Chinese and foreign reporters on the scene, and he had a lot of sensational news.
Cloning pigs is quite safe
It is not feasible to clone giant pandas
Reporter: When can people eat cloned pigs?
Yang Huanming: First of all, I have to say that cloning pigs is quite safe. From a scientific point of view and over the past decade, many people have eaten cloned pigs. If you like early adopters, wait a few more months. We are now working hard to perfect the experiment to the extent that it can be industrialized. Large-scale production is exactly what we strive for. Any pig can be eaten. If you like it, you can come and taste the cloned pig with us. The US Food and Drug Administration has also stated that cloned animals are safe for consumers.
Reporter: In March this year, BGI’s “International Giant Panda Genome Project†was formally launched. Is there an overseas project organization involved in such an international project? The genome just mentioned a "discovery" - the genome of the giant panda is closest to the dog's genome in terms of structure. Which conclusion is based on which genomic tests? Does it also include comparison with the red panda?
Yang Huanming: Our giant panda genome research is also a project of extensive cooperation like the previous genome. However, the scientific issue is mainly to consider the level and basis of science. In January of this year, we held a seminar in Shenzhen. Some experts including British and American animal research institutions were all active. The door of our scientific research program is also open to the world. We welcome scientists from all over the world who are interested in the genetic research of pandas to participate. And any of our genome projects are internationalized. However, we all know that any international project has a “threshold†and the threshold for our international genome project is 20 million. We must have this financial strength to carry out such research.
This conference said that the Panda is closest to the dog gene and I don't know if it compares with the Panda. But whether it's a complete map or a sketch, including humans, gorillas, cows, sheep, dogs, mice, mice, rats, and Australian platypus, we compared it with almost all mammalian species. This comparison is mainly based on the degree of similarity of the genome. To truly clone giant pandas, using giant pandas as recipients may be too costly. We can only find other species as receptors and make heterogeneous clones.
Shenzhen Huada Gene Research
Strength has leapt to the top three in the world
Reporter: The Huada Gene Research Group has successfully completed the study and mapping of the genome sequence map of giant pandas. Does it mean that China is in the field of genome research and its status in the world has risen? Before reading the report, the level of Chinese genome research is now the highest in Asia, and Japanese experts think so.
Yang Huanming: In terms of scientific capabilities, the scientific research strength of our BGI Research Institute has risen from the previous sixth place to third place. Currently, the strength of Huada ranks third behind the British and U.S. related research institutes. Huada Genomics can achieve its current level and achievements. Support from all people and all walks of life is very important. We are very grateful to Shenzhen for its strong support for us, especially the news media. The media is the bridge for society to understand us.
Reporter: After the Sichuan earthquake in May this year, Huada Genomics earthquake-prevention expert and Panda Fund psychiatrist entered the Wolong base. Did you obtain any relevant data and information indicating that the changes in the earthquake environment had had a direct impact on the genome of Panda?
Yang Huanming: Changes in gene structure and genomic sequences are related to long-term environmental choices. The formation of gene mutations takes a long time. The emergence of pandas on the earth dates back to seven million to eight million years ago, from the alienation of bears. From 7 million to 8 million years ago, genetic mutations and natural selection have only become what Pandas are today. To make new, big changes, they must be selected through natural selection. Temporary earthquake disasters have basically had no effect on the “mutation†of panda genes.