The Hindu: Published on 10th Jan 2025:
Why in News?
India has released a comprehensive compilation of 10,000 human genomes from 83 population groups, as part of the 'Genome India' project. This is a significant milestone in leveraging genetic information for precision medicine and research.
Significance:
Global Research Accessibility: The database is available to researchers worldwide, facilitating collaborative studies on diseases, drug response, and genetic diversity.
Advancing Precision Medicine: The data enables targeted clinical interventions and better healthcare outcomes through precision medicine.
Biotech Economy Growth: Prime Minister Modi emphasized the database's potential to boost India's biotech economy and manufacturing capabilities.
Unique Features:
Population Representation: The genomes represent 2% of India’s 4,600 population groups, capturing significant genetic diversity.
Discovery of Unique Variants: Approximately 7 million unique genetic variants not found in global databases were identified.
Anonymized Data: Population data is coded numerically, avoiding caste or tribal identifiers to maintain objectivity and privacy.
Applications:
Disease Risk and Drug Therapy: Enables identification of genetic predispositions and drug response patterns specific to Indian populations.
Genealogical Research: Assists in tracing ancestry and population migrations.
Global Scientific Collaboration: Contributes to global efforts in understanding genetic diversity and its implications on health.
Challenges and Next Steps:
Limited Coverage: Only 2% of population groups studied; a proposal to scale up to a million genomes is in consideration.
High Costs: Expanding genome collection requires significant financial investment.
Ethical Concerns: Strict data sharing and privacy policies are crucial to maintain trust and ethical compliance.
Future Implications:
Better Healthcare Outcomes: Precision medicine tailored to Indian genetic profiles can reduce adverse drug reactions and improve disease treatment.
Global Genetic Insights: India's genetic diversity could provide breakthroughs in understanding human evolution and global population genetics.
Policy and Regulation: Need for robust frameworks to regulate genome access and ensure ethical use.
This initiative positions India as a significant contributor to the global genomic research landscape while promoting healthcare innovation and economic growth.
