More than 300 Chinese have undergone genetic testing to determine their odds of developing cancers and other diseases.

According to China's first and only genetic testing clinic at the No.1 hospital affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine, more than 300 Chinese have had their DNA sampled at the center since it opened last October.

"We look at a patient's medical history and family history, take their blood to analyze their DNA to look for genes that would possibly cause diseases," said Qi Ming, director of the center and professor at the university.

Such tests help identify people more likely to get a disease and allow patients to take action to reduce their risk, he said.

More than 1,000 genes have been found to relate to diseases. Breast cancer, colon cancer, abnormal heart rate, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other diseases can be detected by the DNA tests, Qi said.

The tests cost between 75 U.S. dollars and several hundred dollars, he said.

Source: Xinhua