Chinese scientists have announced the discovery of a new gene in human blood. The find has been confirmed by the World Health Organization.

The new gene was discovered by the blood center of northeast China's Liaoning Province.

It acts to prevent rejection of tissue grafts. When the gene is the same in the donor and patient, rejection of an organ or bone marrow transplant will normally not occur.

Survival rates are also better and recovery is faster. The discovery will allow more suitable organs to be found for individual patients.

The new gene is important in blood transfusions, medico-legal identification, paternity testing, and human genetics in general.

It has been named HLAA2451, and is one of more than a thousand in the same family, most of which have been discovered by US scientists.

(CCTV March 18, 2005)