Ministry of Health Announces Creation of National Bank of Genome of Brazilians

Government plans to invest R $ 600 million in the project in the first four years; inspiration is British program

Brasília

The Ministry of Health launched on Wednesday (14) a precision medicine program, whose objective is to create a national database with 100 thousand genomes of Brazilians to anticipate the diagnosis of diseases.

The Ministry launched the Genomas Brasil program (National Genomics and Precision Health Program) at the Planalto Palace with President Jair Bolsonaro (without a party) and the Minister of Health, Eduardo Pazuello present.

(FILES) Brazilian Army General Eduardo Pazuello (Photo by Sergio Lima / AFP) - AFP

Officially, however, the program has existed since August 5, when the government published an ordinance in the Federal Official Gazette.

In a brief speech, Bolsonaro defended the government's measures to face the Covid-19 crisis and praised Pazuello, who took office in September after four months as an interim.

"He does an exceptional job with his team. And now it takes a big step for us to enter the elite in the issue of treating disease in Brazil through the Genomas Brasil project," said the president.

The Health Minister said that much of the world is already dealing with issues related to precision medicine.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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