The turn of the millennium saw India making significant strides in genomics research . The Indian Genome Variation Consortium ( IGVC ), launched in the early 2000s , was a landmark initiative that mapped genetic diversity across different Indian populations . This project was instrumental in understanding genetic predispositions to diseases and developing population-specific healthcare aimed to create a genetic database for developing precision medicine tailored to India ’ s unique genetic diversity .
The government also introduced policies such as the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council ( BIRAC ), which provided funding and mentorship to genomics startups , fostering innovation in genetic testing , CRISPR technology , and bioinformatics . The 2020s have seen an
Scientific and Medical Implications
• Early Disease Prediction : Identifying individuals at risk for conditions like diabetes , hypertension , and cancer .
• Personalized Medicine : Tailoring drug dosages and treatment plans based on genetic profiles .
• Rare Disease Research : Helping diagnose and manage rare genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia , which disproportionately affects certain Indian communities .
• Pharmacogenomics : Understanding how different genetic groups metabolize drugs , reducing adverse drug reactions .
interventions .
Another milestone came in 2001 with the formation of the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology ( IGIB ) in Delhi . IGIB led pioneering research in genomics , including sequencing the human genome ’ s Indian variation .
The 2010s saw the integration of genomics into healthcare and agriculture . In 2012 , the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research ( CSIR ) launched the Genomics and Molecular Medicine Initiative , focusing on personalized medicine and genetic diagnostics .
In 2015 , India launched the IndiGen program to sequence the genomes of diverse Indian populations . This initiative explosion of genomics-driven healthcare in India , driven by public-private partnerships and large-scale sequencing initiatives . In 2021 , the Department of Biotechnology launched the 10,000 Genome Project , aiming to sequence diverse Indian genomes and drive research in rare genetic disorders and cancer diagnostics .
Additionally , the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of genomic surveillance , leading to the establishment of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortium ( INSACOG ) to track viral mutations and guide policy responses .
Looking ahead , India ’ s genomics industry is poised for exponential growth , driven by initiatives like the National Biotechnology
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