BT-ICT Convergence
The Korean government is actively seeking to make an investment in research and development (R&D) related to the bio-health field, which is often called a golden goose.
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP) announced on Oct. 5 that it selected 3 new projects in the development of bio and medical technology and 12 new projects in the bio-health area.
Numerous projects aimed at developing technology related to new products and services based on the convergence of biotechnology with information and communications technology are included.
New products and services include mobile heart rate monitoring devices, smart wheelchairs for the elderly, a method to diagnose and prevent Internet and game addiction, body-friendly bio-implants, and in vitro diagnostic medical devices that can quickly diagnose bacterial infections or severe illnesses.
The MSIP is also planning to try hard to develop original technologies in brain science and techniques to analyze the human genome that encompass the genome-based prediction of common diseases, the identification of causes of aging skin, and the treatment of rare developmental disorders.
An official at the MSIP said, “We will continue our investment in R&D aimed at discovering and solving health problems in human life stages from infancy to aging adulthood.”