• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.59-85
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• 2014

This study aims to highlight the social aspects of genetic discrimination as another shadow that biotechnology can influence on social life. To do so, the definition of "genetic discrimination" and three perspectives (exceptionalism, expressivism, and human right discourse) were reviewed. In addition, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of the United States and the Bioethics and Safety Act of Korea were analyzed. Several social implications for establishing the research and policies of genetic discrimination based on the existing research results of perceived genetic discrimination (the experiences, fears, and coping strategies of genetic discrimination) were suggested. These included public consensus on the definition of genetic discrimination and emphasis on a human rights approach against genetic discrimination; concerns regarding genetic discrimination in both the personal and public domains; raising the consciousness of both health care providers and the public regarding genetic discrimination; and developing psycho-social coping strategies for decreasing the fear of discrimination of asymptomatic people (hereditary carriers).

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.237-264
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• 2017

With the onset of the Human Genome Project, social concerns about 'genetic information discrimination' have been raised, but the problem has not yet been highlighted in Korea. However, non-medical institutions' genetic testing which is related to disease prevention could be partially allowed under the revised "Bioethics and Safety Act" from June 30, 2016. In the case of one domestic insurance company, DTC genetic testing was provided for the new customer of cancer insurance as a complimentary service, which made the social changes related to the recognition of the genetic testing. At a time when precision medicine is becoming a new standard for medical care, discipline on genetic information discrimination has become a problem that can not be delayed anymore. Article 46 and 67 of the Bioethics Act stipulate the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of genetic information and penalties for its violation. However, these broad principles alone can not solve the problems in specific genetic information utilization areas such as insurance and employment. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany have different regulations that prohibit genetic information based discrimination. In the United States, Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act takes a form that adds to the existing law about the prohibition of genetic information discrimination. In addition, the range of genetic information includes the results of genetic tests of individuals and their families, including "family history". Canada has recently enacted legislation in 2017, expanding coverage to general transactions of goods or services in addition to insurance and employment. The United Kingdom deals only with 'predictive genetic testing results of individuals'. In the case of insurance, the UK government and Association of British Insurers (ABI) agree to abide by a policy framework ('Concordat') for cooperation that provides that insurers' use of genetic information is transparent, fair and subject to regular reviews; and remain committed to the voluntary Moratorium on insurers' use of predictive genetic test results until 1 November 2019, and a review of the Concordat in 2016. In the case of employment, The ICO's 'Employment Practices Code (2011)' is used as a guideline. In Germany, Human Genetic Examination Act(Gesetz ${\ddot{u}}ber$ genetische Untersuchungen bei Menschen) stipulates a principle ban on the demand for genetic testing and the submission of results in employment and insurance. The evaluation of the effectiveness of regulatory framework, as well as the form and scope of the discipline is different from country to country. In light of this, it would be desirable for the issue of genetic information discrimination in Korea to be addressed based on the review of related regulations, the participation of experts, and the cooperation of stakeholders.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.243-263
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• 2017

This study is to establish the varietal discrimination based on DNA profiling of different varieties of rice. We examined the genetic distance among Korean rice varieties using allele frequencies and a genetic diversity analysis with Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) markers. The analysis of the genetic diversity and genetic relationships of 243 Korean rice varieties was varied out using 20 SSRs markers. A total of 268 alleles were detected, ranging from 6 to 32, with an average of 13.45 alleles per locus, and and average of gene diversity (GD) of 0.556. Seven SSR markers were selected as key markers for discrimination among the Korean rice varieties. Concerning the results, 243 varieties (100%) were discriminated among by using acrylamide gel and fragment analyzer-based markers. In conclusion, this study provides useful basic data that can be utilized concerning Korean rice varieties breeding and development. In addition, we will have to manage and conserve as a valuable genetic resource, without losing the diversity of Korean rice varieties.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2008

To estimate the genetic characteristics and cumulative power of discrimination (CPD) existing among Hanwoo (Korean cattle) and exotic foreign population (Angus, Herford, Charolais, Holstein) we used a total of 414 genomic DNAs from five breeds population (Hanwoo, Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Holstein). Genetic characteristics indices including mean allele number among loci, unbiased heterozygosity ($h_i$) within locus and polymorphic information content (PIC) and unbiased average heterozygosity (H) among loci in four breeds were calculated using the generated allele frequencies by each marker. The mean allele numbers for all loci ranged between 5 and 7 while heterozygosity (H) ranged from 0.75 (HW) to 0.64 (HF) among loci and across breeds heterozygosity (H) was 0.69. The generated unbiased average heterozygosity among loci in each breed was integrated to the global formula of CPD resulting in 99.71 % within the populations. The genetic variation of HW (Hanwoo) showed highest estimates among the analyzed breeds.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.15-21
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• 2012

Objective : Lonicera japonica THUNB. a traditional herbal medicine, has been commonly used anti-inflammatory disease. It has been very complicated with respect to its sources on the market. The significant selection of medicine depends on its origin. However, it is difficult to discrimination criteria for confirming L. japonica authenticity using the senses. This study was performed to determine the discriminant analysis of L. japonica and L. confusa. Methods : The identification of L. japonica and L. confusa were performed by the classification and identification committee of the national center for standardization of herbal medicines. And we examined its differences using HPLC and genetic marker analysis. Results : The analytical pattern of High Performance Liquid Chromatography was determined from the corresponding peak curves ((E)-aldosecologanin, chlorogenic acid, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, sweroside). For L. japonica, additional unknown peaks were detected at 13.8 min, 20.6 min, and 36.9 min. And, we developed genetic marker using the the tRNA-Leu gene, trnL-trnF intergenic spacer and tRNA-Phe region of chloroplast DNA. By the method, 164 bp PCR product amplified from L. confusa was distinguished into L. japonica and L. confusa efficiently. Conclusion : Base on these results, two techniques provide effective approaches to distinguish L. japonica from L. confusa.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.347-353
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• 2011

In this study, simple sequence repeat (SSR) analyses were utilized for evaluation of genetic diversity and discrimination of 17 accessions. Five cultivars, which were developed from Korea, and 12 foreign accessions, which were collected from China, Japan, Russia and USA, were evaluated by nine markers out of 22 SSR markers. A total of 39 alleles were detected, ranging from 2 to 8, with an average of 4.3 alleles per locus. The expected heterozygosity and PIC values were 0.627 and 0.553, with a range from 0.21 (GB-PG-078) to 0.76 (GB-PG-142) and from 0.19 (GB-PG-078) to 0.70 (GB-PG-142), respectively. Four makers out of nine SSR markers, GB-PG-026, GB-PG-043, GB-PG-142 and GB-PG-177, were selected as key factors for discrimination of Korean ginseng cultivars and foreign accessions. All of Korean ginseng cultivars and foreign accessions were individually by the combination of four SSR markers. Consequently, the SSR markers developed in this study may prove useful for the evaluation of genetic diversity and discrimination of Korean ginseng cultivars and foreign accessions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.471-478
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• 2016

Native duck populations have lower productivity, and have not been developed as much as commercials duck breeds. However, native ducks have more importance in terms of genetic diversity and potentially valuable economic traits. For this reason, population discriminable genetic markers are needed for conservation and development of native ducks. In this study, 24 highly polymorphic microsatellite (MS) markers were investigated using commercial ducks and native East and South Asian ducks. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) value for all MS markers was 0.584, indicating high discrimination power. All populations were discriminated using 14 highly polymorphic MS markers by genetic distance and phylogenetic analysis. The results indicated that there were close genetic relationships among populations. In the structure analysis, East Asian ducks shared more haplotypes with commercial ducks than South Asian ducks, and they had more independent haplotypes than others did. These results will provide useful information for genetic diversity studies in ducks and for the development of duck traceability systems in the market.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.3 no.1 s.5
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• pp.41-73
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• 2003

Personal genetic information is information about a person's genetic characteristics, which may reveal important information about private matters such as susceptibility to disease. Progress in genetics makes it much easier to obtain personal genetic information, and this leads to concerns about confidentiality and security of genetic information, and about possible genetic discrimination. This paper examines social issues related to human genetic information in terms of individual identification, diagnosis of diseases, and non-medical genetic test, and then tries to provide desirable citizens participation methods that can be used when making public policies related to genetic information protection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.788-797
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• 2001

The usefulness of three PCR methods were evaluated for the epidemiological typing of Staphylococcus aureus: an enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence PCR (ERIC-PCR), repetitive extragenic palindromic element PCR (REP-PCR), and 16S-23S intergenic spacer PCR (ITS-PCR). The analysis was performed using a collection of S. aureus strains comprised of 6 reference and 79 isolates from patients with various diseases. Among the 85 S. aureus strains tested, 6 references and 6 isolates were found to be susceptible to methicillin, whereas the remaining 73 isolates were resistant to it. PCR methods are of special concern, as conventional phenotypic methods are unable to clearly distinguish among methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains. The ability of the techniques to detect different unrelated types was found to be as follows: ERIC-PCR, 19 types; REP-PCR, 36 types; and ITS-PCR, 14 types. On the basis of combining the ERIC, REP, and ITS fingerprints, the 85 S. aureus strains were grouped into 56 genetic types (designated G1 to G56). The diversities for the 85 S. aureus strains, calculated according to Simpson\`s index, were 0.88 for an ERIC-PCR, 0.93 for a REP-PCR, and 0.48 for an ITS-PCR, and the diversity increased up to 0.97 when an ERIC-PCR and REP-PCR were combined. The above discrimination indices imply that the genetic heterogeneity of S. aureus strains is high. Accordingly, this study demonstrates that DNA sequences from highly conserved repeats of a genome, particularly a combination of ERIC sequences and REP elements, are a convenient and accurate tool for the subspecies-specific discrimination and epidemiologic tracking of S. aureus.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.280-289
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• 2021

Genetic markers currently used for the discrimination of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies have low efficiency for identification at subspecies level. Therefore, our objective in this study was to select novel genetic markers for accurate identification and discrimination of six L. delbrueckii subspecies based on pangenome analysis. We evaluated L. delbrueckii genomes to avoid making incorrect conclusions in the process of selecting genetic markers due to mislabeled genomes. Genome analysis showed that two genomes of L. delbrueckii subspecies deposited at NCBI were misidentified. Based on these results, subspecies-specific genetic markers were selected by comparing the core and pangenomes. Genetic markers were confirmed to be specific for 59,196,562 genome sequences via in silico analysis. They were found in all strains of the same subspecies, but not in other subspecies or bacterial strains. These genetic markers also could be used to accurately identify genomes at the subspecies level for genomes known at the species level. A real-time PCR method for detecting three main subspecies (L. delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii, lactis, and bulgaricus) was developed to cost-effectively identify them using genetic markers. Results showed 100% specificity for each subspecies. These genetic markers could differentiate each subspecies from 44 other lactic acid bacteria. This real-time PCR method was then applied to monitor 26 probiotics and dairy products. It was also used to identify 64 unknown strains isolated from raw milk samples and dairy products. Results confirmed that unknown isolates and subspecies contained in the product could be accurately identified using this real-time PCR method.