DNA gifts help popularize advanced technology
By Tse Ting Ting
Tse Ting Ting
DNA gifts cost $500 to $600.
Commonly known as DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid is the basic constituent of a gene. It is no
longer a profound research subject in laboratories. Scientists are finding different ways to popularize DNA.
The project executive of DNA Technology Limited, Apple Chow, said, "People think that DNA is only a profound biological term. We want to break with tradition. Therefore, we introduced DNA gifts to Hong Kong in November 2001.
A DNA necklace contains crystallized DNA which is no bigger than a grain of rice.
Miss Chow said, "Customers use a swab to brush the inside of each cheek 20 to 30 times, so we can collect their DNA samples.
"Chemicals are used to crystallize the DNA sample. We then use a centrifuge for the sedimentation of the DNA crystal. After several steps to wash and purify the DNA crystal, we can put it into a pendant which is preserved in storage liquid," she said.
According to Miss Chow, a DNA necklace can store more than one DNA crystal. Therefore, families and lovers like to put their crystallized DNA together.
"Since DNA can last forever, people regard it as a sign of eternal love and unity," she said.
Besides human DNA, the company also produces gifts using pets' DNA. The procedures for making them are similar. The customers also welcome them.
DNA Technology Limited is a branch of Hong Kong DNA Chips Limited. Besides manufacturing DNA gifts, they also provide services using biotechnology.
"We offer DNA check-ups for pregnant women," said Patrick Poon Kwong Yiu, the marketing manager of DNA Chips Limited.
"The traditional medical method usually takes two to three weeks and results may not be a hundred percent correct. For a DNA check-up, it takes only one day to check the physical condition of the foetus. DNA checking is especially important in detecting genetic diseases," he said.
DNA technology also applies in detecting poultry diseases.
In 2000, Hong Kong DNA Chips Limited cooperated with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and invented a new DNA tester for the H5N1 bird flu virus.
"The old method needed seven days to detect the bird flu virus, but that was too long. Therefore, we invented a new DNA tester with the support of the Hong Kong government.
"It is the first DNA bird flu tester in the world. It takes only a couple of hours to detect the H5N1 bird flu virus," said Mr. Poon.
The tester proved useful once again when the H5N1 bird flu virus was discovered in Hong Kong last year. It facilitated the government in conducting spot checks and preventing a wider spread of the virus.
According to Mr. Poon, the company will further develop DNA chips in the future.
"One DNA chip can record DNA of hundreds of medical problems, such as cancer and AIDS. A medical practitioner collects a blood sample from a patient and puts it on a DNA chip, then inserts the chip into an analysis machine.
"It is similar to operating a microwave oven. After pressing a few buttons, the result will be ready within 15 minutes," he said.
The DNA chip analysis can detect all the medical conditions of patients at one time. The result is 99.9 percent accurate. However, some diseases that are unrelated to genetic problems cannot be detected, such as high blood pressure.
Final testing is ongoing with DNA chips. The firm will start selling the chips in Hong Kong by 2003.
Dr. Mary Waye Miu Yee, a senior lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, said DNA technology is now in a golden age of development. The whole world is trying to explore new aspects of this technology.
"However, the prices of DNA chips may be so high that not everyone can afford them," she said.
"The government should learn from other foreign countries and provide more financial support to DNA projects. Otherwise, Hong Kong will lag behind other countries," she said.
