New DNA Technology Identifies Disease Risks: Matsushita

Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. said Wednesday that it had developed a new way of predicting from a person's DNA their response to medication and risk of developing disease.

A new way of predicting from a person's DNA their response to medication and risk of developing disease has been claimed to have been developed by Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.

Matsushita, which is best known for its Panasonic brand, said it had developed a technology to electronically identify sequence variations in DNA, called single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs.

About DNA Fingerprinting
DNA fingerprinting is a technique which helps forensic scientists and legal experts solve crimes, identity thefts, legal suits and terrorism cases.

It described the technology as a "world-first" that uses artificial DNA dissolved in a solution instead of being attached to an electrode.

"This technology makes it possible to predict individuals' responses to drugs and their risk of developing disease," said the company, which collaborated with Konan University on the project.

"In the future, this technology is expected to enable hospitals or clinics to provide patients with treatments and drugs tailored to their individual physical characteristics," it said.

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Source-AFP
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