Scientists to Break Chinese Genetic Code

China's Ministry of Science and Technology initiated a 100,000-person gene mapping study on December 28, 2017.

According to Chinese media reports, the study – which is the world's largestever gene mapping program – aims to tease out Chinese genetic variations in the hope of building a “Chinese health map.” The program's chief scientist, Wang Yadong, told the press his team would conduct gene sequencing with one-in-ten thousand precision to show genetic variations and regional distribution among the population of China. To ensure the comprehensiveness and diversity of the samples, the program team will select gene samples from seven regions covering the whole country and, it is hoped, from all 56 officially-demarcated Chinese ethnic groups.

Wang says the program, which will be jointly conducted by more than 20 universities and companies, is scheduled to finish in four years.