China establishes national gene bank in Shenzhen

     SHENZHEN, June 18 (Xinhua) -- China established its first national gene¹ bank on Friday in south China's city of Shenzhen with the support of the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), officials said.

    With the establishment of the National Gene Bank in Shenzhen, China will be able to better protect, research and utilize² its precious genetic³ resources, boosting the genetics industry and safeguarding the country's genetic information, said Qi Chengyuan, head of the high-tech⁴ industry department of the National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC).

    The gene bank, which was approved by the NDRC in January, is based on data and facilities belonging to the BGI, but will grow with the help of extensive cooperation with other biological organizations both home and abroad, Qi said.

    The national gene bank "aims to lead the development of international bioindustry as one of the world's largest gene banks," said Yang Huanming, the BGI's president.

    The BGI, the world's largest genome-mapping institute, has more than 1,000 biological analysis devices working with top-of-the-line genome-sequencing machines.

    Analysts say the BGI differs from conventional labs, as it can handle data in vast quantities and industrialize its research. Some believe lower wages in China have also contributed to the BGI's competitiveness.

    Yang Bicheng, the BGI's spokesman, said the payment and welfare packages BGI offers are competitive in China's bioindustry.

    "A researcher with about two years of experience earns around 100,000 yuan (15,440 U.S. dollars) a year. More outstanding researchers can get more, but the gap is not too great," Yang said.

    Yang said greater motivation comes from better prospects⁵ for academic achievements.

    "Our young researchers can work with the world's leading scientists, participate in global science projects and be pioneers in new fields of research. Only BGI offers these kinds of opportunities in China," Yang said.

    The BGI has published 18 research papers in Science Magazine and the Nature Journal since 2007. The facility has become an international center for genome research and industrialization, with advanced technology and top talent, said Ji Xiaoming, head of the international cooperation department of the Ministry⁶ of Science and Technology.

    China is working to make its genetic research industry into one of the country's pillar industries.

    A plan approved by the State Council, or China's cabinet, in October 2010 said China will boost the industry by encouraging innovation, promoting industrial application of biological research, fostering market demand and deepening international cooperation.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

2 utilize   

vt.使用，利用

参考例句：

• The cook will utilize the leftover ham bone to make soup.厨师要用吃剩的猪腿骨做汤。
• You must utilize all available resources.你必须利用一切可以得到的资源。

3 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

4 high-tech   

adj.高科技的

参考例句：

• The economy is in the upswing which makes high-tech services in more demand too.经济在蓬勃发展，这就使对高科技服务的需求量也在加大。
• The quest of a cure for disease with high-tech has never ceased. 人们希望运用高科技治疗疾病的追求从未停止过。

5 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

6 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。