On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the completion of the Genome India Project, calling it a historic achievement in biotechnology that holds the potential to transform healthcare and genetic research in the country.
In a video address, the Prime Minister emphasized that the genome sequencing of 10,000 individuals would be instrumental in understanding the genetic diversity of India’s population, benefiting both policy formulation and scientific innovation.
PM Modi stated, “Today, India has taken a truly historic step in the field of research. Five years ago, the Genome India Project was approved. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 during this period, our scientists have worked tirelessly to complete this project. The genomic data of 10,000 Indians is now available at the Indian Biological Data Centre. I am confident that this project will prove to be a milestone in the field of biotechnology.”
“The Genome India Project is a significant milestone in India’s biotechnology revolution. I have been informed that this project has enabled us to create a diverse genetic resource in the country. Under this initiative, genome sequencing of 10,000 individuals from various populations across the nation has been conducted. This data will now be accessible to our scientists and researchers, helping them understand India’s genetic landscape better. The information derived from this will greatly assist in policymaking and the design of various schemes for the country,” the Prime Minister added.
PM Modi highlighted that India’s population has extensive genetic diversity, leading to a wide range of diseases.
“Hence, it is crucial to know which type of medication benefits a particular individual. For this, understanding the genetic identity of citizens is essential,” PM noted.
The Prime Minister also pointed out the prevalence of sickle cell anemia among tribal communities in India.
“In our tribal communities, sickle cell anemia poses a significant challenge. To tackle this, we have launched a National Mission. However, it is possible that this disease exists in one region’s community but not in another. There might be other issues in those areas. We can ascertain such details only when we have a comprehensive genetic study. This will help us understand the unique genomic patterns of India’s population and enable us to create specific solutions for particular groups,” PM Modi explained.
Additionally, the Prime Minister underscored the broader importance of biotechnology and the bio-economy in driving India’s development.
PM Modi remarked, “The goal of the bio-economy is the efficient utilization of natural resources, the promotion of bio-based products and services, and the creation of new employment opportunities in this sector. The bio-economy accelerates sustainable development and fosters innovation. Over the past decade, India’s bio-economy has grown rapidly. From 10 billion dollars in 2014, it has now surpassed 150 billion.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s growing prominence as a global pharmaceutical hub, achieving new milestones.
“In the past decade, India has taken several revolutionary steps in public healthcare, such as providing free treatment to millions of Indians, offering medicines at an 80 per cent discount through Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and building modern infrastructure. These are significant achievements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India demonstrated the robustness of its pharmaceutical ecosystem. The Genome India Project will further accelerate India’s efforts,” PM Modi said.
Launched in January 2020 by the Department of Biotechnology, the Genome India Project aims to sequence 10,000 genomes from healthy individuals across India.
This initiative seeks to build a comprehensive genetic catalog that reflects the country’s rich diversity, paving the way for personalized healthcare solutions and precision medicine.
With the completion of this project, India has taken a significant step towards revolutionizing its healthcare system, empowering researchers and clinicians to develop more effective treatments based on the country’s unique genetic patterns.
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