The ASEAN-EU-LEMLIFE Project
24-26 January 2004, Bangkok, Thailand
Human Genetics Research
in Vietnam
and Ethical Aspects
Le Dinh Luong
Vietnam National University
Current Status
of Human Genetics Research
in Vietnam
1. National Research Programs
2001-2005
2. Research Institutions Involved
3. Publications 2003
4. Research and Service Areas
5. BioArchive System in Vietnam
National Research Programs
2001-2005
1. Sequencing of mitochondrial DNA of different
Vietnamese ethnic groups and directed
applications.
2. Application of molecular techniques for diagnosis
of human hereditary diseases in Vietnam.
3.
Application of molecular techniques for human
pedigree determination and for forensics in
Vietnam.
4. Animal stem cell research for genetic engineering.
Institutions Involved in
Human Genetics Research
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Institute of Biotechnology, NCST, Hanoi
Nat. Inst.of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology
Institute of Oncology, Hanoi
University of Natural Sciences, VNU, HCM
Hanoi Medical University
National Institute of Pediatrics, Hanoi
Center of Biotechnology, VNU, Hanoi
Pasteur Institute, HCM
University of Natural Sciences, VNU, Hanoi
Biochem. Technology Dept, Ministry of Public Security
Forensic Science Institute, Ministry of Public Security
Publications (2003)
1. The Polymophism of HLA-DRB1, -DBB1 And G6PD Deficiency of Muong
Ethnic In Hoabinh – Vietnam. Vu Trieu An at al. Hanoi University of
Medicine
2. Screening 3 Case Mutated Dystrophin Gene In Total 11 Vietnamese
Duchenne And Becker Muscular Dystrophy. Nguyen Duc Bach at al.
Institute of Biotechnology, NCST, Masafumi MatsuoKobe University
Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
3. Molecular-Based Study On Breast Cancer Samples Of Vietnamese
Patients Using Mitochrondrial D-loop As Genetic Markers. Nguyen
Thanh Dam at al. Institute of Oncology
4. Establisment of Ames Test And Application In Detection of Carcinogen,
Mutagen. Huynh Ngoc Vi Ca at al. University of Natural Sciences, VNU,
HCM
5. Detecting G6PD Deficiency And Analyzing Variants of DNA Mutation of
Some Individuals with G6PD Deficiency from Kinh, Muong, Racley, Tay,
Katu Ethnic Groups Living in Hanoi, Hoa Binh, Hue and Khanh Hoa
Provinces. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dao at al. Institute of Biotechnology, Kaoru
Nishiyama Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan
Publications 2003 (continued)
6. Determination of D13S317 Allele Frequencies In A Group of Vietnamese.
Nghiem Xuan Dung. Biochemistry Technology Deparment
7. Identification of Remains by mtDNA Analysis. Le Quang Huan at al.
Institute of Biotechnology, NCST
8. Designing Expression Vector for a Gene Coding Antigen CD25 Specific
for Blood Cancer. La Thi Huyen at al. Institute of Biotechnology
9. DNA Fingerprinting in Vietnamese Populations by Sex Chromosome
Located Loci. Le Dinh Luong, at al. Center of Biotechnology, VNU, Hanoi
10. Primary Determination of Allele Frequencies of CSF1PO Locus in
Vietnamese Populations. Ngo Tien Quy at al. Institute of Forensics
11. Using PCR Multiplex for Forensic Analysis and Paternity
Determination by Some Single Locus STR Primers. Trinh Tuan Toan.
Forensic Science Institute
12. Detection of the 30bp Deleted Mutation in C-Terminus of LMP1 Gene
from Vietnamese Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Nguyen Van Do at al.
Hanoi Medical University
Research and Service Areas
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Genetic Testing
Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases
Genetic Counseling
Forensics
Courts
BioArchive System
in Vietnam

THERMOGENESIS CORP. sold a BioArchive System
to the Blood Transfusion & Hematology Center in
HCM City for about US$200,000 (June 2000).
 The system can be also used by the major Cord
Blood Banks
 The BioArchive System is the international
standard for collecting, processing, and archiving
cryopreserved hematopoietic stem cells sourced
from placental/cord blood
 Phil Coelho, CEO of THERMOGENESIS CORP. "With
this acquisition, Vietnam is adopting the same
state-of-the-art stem cell technology as the major
industrialized nations"
The Diseases Diagnosed by Genetic Testing
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Alzheimer's disease
Ataxia telangiectasia
Gaucher disease
Inherited breast and ovarian cancer
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer
Charcot-Marie-Tooth
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Cystic fibrosis
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Dystonia
Fanconi anemia, group C
Factor V-Leiden
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Fragile X syndrome
Hemophilia A and B
Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Huntington's disease
Myotonic dystrophy
Neurofibromatosis type 1
Phenylketonuria
Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease
Prader Willi/Angelman syndromes
Sickle cell disease
Spinocerebellar ataxia, type 1
Spinal muscular atrophy
Thalassemias
Tay-Sachs Disease
The Diseases Diagnosed by Genetic Testing
in Vietnam
1. Duchenne muscular dystrophy/Becker
muscular dystrophy (DMD; severe to mild
muscle wasting, deterioration, weakness)
2. Hemophilia A and B (HEMA and HEMB;
bleeding disorders)
3. Thalassemias (THAL; anemias - reduced
red blood cell levels)
Current Status
of Bioethics Awareness
Bioethics awareness from outside
– Knowledge of Bioethics comes from outside through
Media (newspapers, TV programs, Radio, Internet)
– Ethical workshops or training courses organized in
Vietnam by joint effort with oversea experts or
organizations
– Information comes from International Meetings
Bioethics understanding is limited
– No curriculum in schools and higher educational
institutions
– No regular courses through over the country
Religion influence is not essential
BIOETHICAL ISSUES
In Human Genetics Research
1. Genetic Testing
•
•
•
•
Is genetic testing regulated?
Does insurance cover genetic testing?
Prenatal testing: A modern Eugenics ?
Discrimination because it involves genetic tests?
2. Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases
•
•
•
Are patients being properly informed about the risks
and limitations of genetic technology?
How does personal genetic information affect an
individual and society's perceptions of that individual?
Who owns and controls genetic information and
human materials ?
Government Decree on 15/02/2003
Banning Human Cloning
 The Vietnam government decree on 15/02/2003
banning human cloning, surrogacy and all means
of choosing the sex of embryos. However, animal
cloning and stem cell research are acceptable.
 The decree allows the application of reproductive
technologies, such as in vitro fertilization.
 Foreigners can use assisted reproductive
technology services in Viet Nam, but they are
banned from donating or receiving eggs, sperm
and embryos.
What Vietnam Should Do for
Bioethical Improvement?
1. Improvement of public understanding of
bioethics
(Introduction of bioethical courses into secondary and
high schools; International and regional training
courses; Bioethics Societies; Regular programs in
Media...)
2. Vietnam should improve the public
knowledge on modern biotechnology
(to narrow the gap between traditional cultures and
modern knowledge of sciences)
3. Facilitating individual right to keep
personal her/his own genetic information
(Legislation system, Appropriate health care system...)
Thank you !