The Health Ministry has collected and made publicly available genomic data from 9,000 Indonesians, a development expected to help doctors make more accurate diagnoses and provide better treatment.
he Health Ministry has collected genomic data from 9,000 Indonesians, a development expected to help doctors make more accurate diagnoses and provide better treatment.
But the government’s biobank project has raised concerns among some experts over the safety of patients’ personal data and the expense of the undertaking.
On Sept. 12, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin announced that his office had gathered the genomic information of 9,000 Indonesian patients. Of that number, researchers had sequenced around 6,000 genomes and analyzed 4,500 to identify risk factors for various conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental health issues.
Genome sequencing refers to the process of recording a person’s full set of genetic material. To do so, researchers extract a patient’s DNA from blood samples.
Once extracted, the biological information is translated into a digital file of letters that correspond to the DNA’s base pairs. The letters are then computationally analyzed to detect mutations and variations that may affect the patient’s health.
A patient can look at their biomedical information stored in the Health Ministry’s biobank through the SatuDNA portal, which is accessible through the ministry’s SatuSehat mobile app.
Read also: Genomic start-ups: Lack of awareness may slow growth
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.