MGRC PLANS TO PROVIDE GENETIC SCREENING SERVICES FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

PETALING JAYA (Selangor, Malaysia), June 14 (Bernama) – Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad (MGRC), the country’s leading genome sequencing and analysis services provider, Monday announced its plans to provide genome sequencing and comprehensive genetic screening services for healthcare professionals in the country.

Working in partnership with healthcare professionals, the company would be offering screening services to the general public at designated hospitals and primary care centres, MGRC managing director Karim Hercus said in a statement, here, Monday.

He said these services would enable physicians and doctors to screen and identify a wide range of genetic diseases, pre-dispositions to inherited diseases and even adverse reactions to drugs.

"Access to this new information will alter the approach to medical diagnosis and treatment, taking into account the patient’s genetic information.

"This groundbreaking approach to personalised healthcare in Malaysia will allow consumers to better understand and manage their personal health through their own genetic information," he added.

According to Karim, genomics has emerged as one of the most important branches of life sciences, and has facilitated significant progress in the understanding of human health.

More importantly, he said, genomics had enabled rapid discoveries linking genes to the risk and timing of the onset of diseases, deepening people's understanding of the causes of illnesses and facilitating the development of more effective vaccines and cures.

He said MGRC’s genetic screening services would be adapted to the specific needs of the local population, using genetic markers to test for diseases that were common in Malaysia.

"Our genetic screening services will be aimed at empowering Malaysians to make informed lifestyle and dietary changes that can minimise the risk of the disease occurring or to get advice on the treatments best suited for their genetic make-up and medical history," he said.
-- BERNAMA