Chapter 383 - 253: Shock the World (Part 2)

Chapter 383: Chapter 253: Shock the World (Part 2)

Then, an immunology expert from Massachusetts General Hospital asked, "Dr. Jiang, regarding amplification specificity, the design of the stem-loop primers is indeed ingenious. But when dealing with highly homologous miRNA families, how did you prevent cross-reactivity?"

"We introduced LNA modifications at the key mismatch sites on the probe, which increased the probe’s Tm value. This allows our system to easily distinguish between homologous sequences."

The questions came one after another.

They covered topics ranging from reagent ratios to data correction algorithms.

Jiang He answered every question fully and without reservation.

This Q&A lasted for a full two hours.

Afterward, no one else in the entire hall raised a hand to question the technology itself.

The scholars in the audience were filled with deep admiration.

Now, everyone believed that this team from China had truly produced an era-defining result.

Professor Weber applauded softly from his seat and whispered to the colleague beside him, "An incredible young man. He’s the student of my student’s ex-husband’s colleague."

His colleague: "?"

After the technical Q&A, it was time for questions from the press.

Reporters from the major media outlets, who could hardly wait, eagerly raised their hands.

The first few questions were standard and predictable.

That is, until a senior reporter from a major US medical ethics journal stood up.

"Dr. Jiang, I’d like to ask a question. Even if your early screening technology can advance detection by two to three years, it’s common knowledge that pancreatic cancer remains virtually incurable. From a medical, psychological, and sociological standpoint, telling a perfectly healthy person that they will most likely develop a terminal illness two to three years down the line, for which there is no cure—doesn’t this simply plunge them into premature despair and fear, with no substantial clinical benefit? Dr. Jiang, are you using this technology to peddle fear and generate hype for your patent and future projects?"

Jiang He smiled.

’I was just wondering how to announce our team’s next project...’

’And this expert comes along and lobs me the perfect question.’

’Talk about perfect timing, right?’

’Are we sure he’s not a friendly plant we paid to be here?’

Jiang He said with a smile, "You’re right. And that’s precisely why miRNA early screening was never our team’s end goal. Since you’ve brought up the lack of treatment options, I’ll take this opportunity to announce our team’s next R&D plan."

"Using the vast library of molecular profiles accumulated by our miRNA screening system as a foundation, we are officially launching the development of a small-molecule targeted drug for KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer."

A palpable shock rippled through the entire hall.

It was one bombshell after another.

After a moment of stunned silence, the crowd erupted into fervent discussion.

"My God, what is he saying?"

"KRAS mutation? That’s considered an undruggable target! Pharmaceutical giants all over the world have poured billions of US Dollars into it, and it’s all been for nothing!"

"He’s insane! This man from China isn’t just stopping at early screening—he wants to develop a targeted drug, too!"

Cries of astonishment echoed through the hall.

The shocks from today’s press conference were simply too much for them to process.

Jiang He held up his hands, gesturing for the audience to quiet down.

"I know that a targeted drug for KRAS is considered an insurmountable chasm in our field. I also believe this project won’t produce results as quickly as our screening technology did. It may take five years, ten years, or even longer. But our team will remain committed to this effort, for as long as it takes."

A hush fell over the reporters’ section.

The ethics reporter who had posed the challenging question was now at a loss for words.

Accuse him of diagnosing a problem without a solution, and he turns around to announce he’s going to create the solution itself—a targeted drug!

The man was completely dumbfounded.

Jiang He turned his head slightly to glance at Shen Yu.

Ever since the reporter had raised the question about the psychological catastrophe, Jiang He had noticed Teacher Shen’s brow furrow, her eyes flashing with indignation.

Jiang He knew his fiancée all too well.

A single glance was all it took for him to know exactly what was on Shen Yu’s mind.

Jiang He smiled gently, then continued, "My explanation about the targeted drug development was the answer from a medical perspective. But as for the question of clinical utility and psychological stress, I would like to invite my fiancée, Ms. Shen Yu, to answer."

WHOOSH—

All eyes in the hall swiveled to Shen Yu!

Shen Yu indeed had a lot to say. She stood up immediately, completely unfazed by the attention.

The moment she rose to her feet, a soft gasp of admiration rippled through the hall.

"She’s so beautiful..."

"That’s Dr. Jiang’s fiancée? She’s so young."

"What a stunning presence."

Shen Yu paid no mind to the surrounding gazes as she walked onto the stage to stand beside Jiang He.

She adjusted the height of the microphone, her powerful presence radiating outwards.

"Hello, everyone. I am Shen Yu, a psychology student at Normal University, and I am also Dr. Jiang’s fiancée."

"To the reporter over there, you believe that informing a patient in advance about an incurable disease is an act of cruelty?"

"But have you forgotten that another of medicine’s ultimate missions is to grant dignity to life?"

"Without early screening, by the time pancreatic cancer is discovered, it’s often already in its late stages. Patients no longer have the strength to fight, or even the time to put their affairs in order. They can only passively await death in excruciating pain."

"That is what is truly cruel."

"What Dr. Jiang’s early screening does is sound an alarm for the patient."

"Please, do not underestimate human resilience in the face of suffering."

"This extra year or two means that a father can hold on long enough to see his daughter at her university graduation. It means that two people in love can have a final, uninterrupted period of time to say their goodbyes with grace. It means that someone who has hustled and bustled their entire life finally has the right, with a clear mind, to decide how they will spend their final days."