Govt COVID-19 Genome Research; ALMI Calls for Data Transparency
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13 April 2020 20:16 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Young Scientists Academy (ALMI) has urged the Health Ministry and the COVID-19 countermeasure acceleration team to publicize the genome research records on the handling of the SARS-Cov2. ALMI claimed the government had not yet revealed the data since the country confirmed its first coronavirus case.
Referring to the information from the China National Center for Bioinformation, ALMI secretary-general Berry Juliandi said the Indonesian Health Ministry had collected four coronavirus samples since the pandemic spread.
“However, up to this day, the data is not yet accessible nor is it publicized,” said Berry in a written letter on Monday. He stressed that the data were essential to understand the virus origins and its genetic mutation.
Berry added the data was also critical for the development of a vaccine or a medical therapy that could be provided for coronavirus patients both domestically and internationally. “Accessing the RNA samples of the virus is difficult,” he said.
Berry explained that Indonesia was home to many researchers and institutions that could participate in analyzing the COVID-19 virus genome and how it could eventually be used to handle patients. “It can also simplify the coordination route in conducting research by the parties involved.”
MOH KHORY ALFARIZI
