Project of Pig GenomeChinese scientists yesterday launched a gene sequencing project to upgrade pig breeding and to promote studies on xeno-transplantation and biological drugs in co-operation with Denmark.The project is a follow-up to the successful completion of 1 per cent of the sequencing of the human genome, said Zhang Meng, a spokesman of the Human Genome Research Centre of the Genetics Institute, at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Zhang said that though Germany, Denmark and other European countries have already started similar joint research projects, Chinese scientists see greater potential in their own undertaking. Pork is the major source of animal protein in the Chinese diet, and China has the largest pork output in the world. Scientists said they hope that with a working draft of the pig genome map, they will be able to improve pork quality and to promote the pork industry. |
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