유전체 혁명의 시대, 기술 패권과 통상 압박의 틈바구니에서 > K-wave Trends

Samsung Electronics’ rise to become the largest shareholder of ‘Element Bioscience’, an American genetic analysis equipment company, is a strategic step beyond a simple investment. The MedTech business, which the late former Chairman Lee Kun-hee had been working on for over 10 years, finally appears to be bearing fruit with the powerful weapons of AI and digital healthcare. Element's DNA sequencing technology, which boasts a high accuracy of 99.99%, and its multi-omics technology, which integrates analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins, are expected to create infinite synergy when combined with Samsung's AI capabilities. In the future, if the data collected in daily life by wearable devices such as the Galaxy Watch or Ring is combined with genomic information, the personalized health management platform will evolve to a level where real-time early diagnosis of diseases is possible. This shows Samsung's strong will to improve its structure beyond simply being a hardware manufacturer and becoming a data company that leads human health data.

In addition to the investment enthusiasm of the industry, academia is also uncovering the fundamental principles of gene regulation and opening new horizons in the development of therapeutics. Recently, a joint research team from the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and Seoul National University achieved the feat of identifying the activation process of the ‘Argonaut’ protein, which regulates gene expression, at the atomic level. Until now, the development of RNA therapeutics has tended to rely on numerous trials and errors, but through this study, the sophistication of the design has increased as it has been revealed that the chaperone protein opens the argonut and creates a favorable environment for microRNA to bind. In addition, the National Institute of Health is developing a diagnostic technology that detects antibiotic resistance genes in 40 minutes using gene scissors technology, and the commercialization of molecular diagnostic technology that can be used immediately in the field is also becoming visible. These research achievements are solidifying the scientific foundation for conquering incurable diseases such as Alzheimer's and metabolic diseases.

But behind the technological emergency lurks a harsh commercial reality. The United States is putting intense pressure on Korea's agricultural policy and overall genetic system through the recent country-by-country trade barrier report. They are shaking up the operation of the domestic system itself by pointing out not only the operation of the Tariff Quota (TRQ) for rice and soybeans, but also the expansion of the gene editing (GE) food labeling system as trade barriers. In particular, the mandatory labeling of foods using genetically modified ingredients, regardless of whether DNA is detected, has become a key issue affecting the U.S. agricultural industry. The United States is making it clear that it intends to use these reports not simply to understand the current situation, but as negotiating leverage to expand the opening of agricultural markets in the future. This suggests that, separate from the technological achievements we have made in the bio industry, more sophisticated and strategic responses are needed in the global trade environment.

At the micro level, genetic analysis technology is also used as a tool to increase administrative efficiency. The city of Seoul recently decided to conduct a special crackdown on the country of origin using genetic analysis targeting health food establishments such as black goat. In the past, there were limitations in distinguishing between foreign and domestic products by relying on the naked eye or documents, but now we are ensuring consumers' right to know and strengthening food safety by identifying varieties through scientific genetic analysis techniques. This clearly shows that biotechnology can leave the laboratory and combine with administrative services in our daily lives to directly contribute to improving the opaque distribution structure. The development of technology is changing the landscape of large industries and at the same time providing a practical alternative to ensure fairness in our society.