We met Professor Baik who found 6 gene species connoting the use of alcohol and alcoholism and heard her motivation of the study and results.

-What was your motivation for the study?

The connection of heavy drinking with cancer or liver ailments is generally well known. However, actually some people have a high risk of disease with little drinking while some people stay healthy even with heavy drinking. This gap is due to each person’s environment and the difference of each person’s gene base sequence. Our research team is processing research which manages a suitable nutrition system of individual genes for Koreans; research for managing alcoholism with each individual is one of the elements.

-what about research results or the ripple effect?

In previous research, the fact that the amount of alcohol and some genes are connected was already known, but this is the first research connecting genes with the amount of alcohol having gene base sequence information. With this research, we can contribute to the improvement of a national keep-fit mentality more efficiency if we manage programs such as intensive alcohol education and the prevention of alcoholism for those prone to alcoholism or high-risk drinkers, because we figured out the gene which is connected with the amount of alcohol in Koreans.

-Have you had any difficulties in the study?

I think the government gives basic science research funding more readily. If the result of research is directly connected with industrialization and revenue generation it is readily accepted, but there is always a growth development step in creative work. A vitalization of creative basic research is a motivation for developing new industry field growth.