Marcos wants specialized study of Filipino genetics

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. confers on clinical geneticist Carmencita Padilla the title of National Scientist. (Screengrab from RTVM)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed support for a research project on Filipino genetics.

He made this known as he bestowed upon clinical geneticist Carmencita Padilla the honor of being a National Scientist.

During his speech on Thursday in Malacañang, Marcos said a conversation with Padilla revealed the importance of the Filipino genome.

Genetics is the scientific study of genes and heredity.

Genome is the set of genetic information in a human being.

The President explained Philippines should not have to wait for foreign vaccines “because one size does not fit all.”

“That is why this effort of genetic research and all the way through to being able to apply that specifically to the Filipino situation, to the genetics of the Filipino,” he said.

“And it even becomes more granular in the sense that she was explaining to me,” he went on.

“There are some Filipinos for which these medicines are effective. There’s another group of Filipinos for which it is not,” he specified.

“So that is really – well, the cracks of the problem,” he pointed out.

Moreover, Marcos sees the need to improve research and development program (R&D) in the Philippines.

The President explained modern R&D can be used for the treatments against diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

“We put together a program so we can support such activities, as we have been speaking about in terms of R&D, and of actually bringing that technology to the general populace,” said Marcos.

He directed Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health and Department of Science and Technology to develop the program.

He also asked Padilla to contribute her expertise in this undertaking.

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