India Maps Its Genes: Genome India Project Unlocks Path to Personalised Medicine and Ancestral Insights
(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 12)
|
Topic: GS3 – Science & Technology |
|
Context |
|
Analysis of the news:
Medical Applications and Personalised Medicine
-
The GIP holds transformative potential in healthcare. By identifying critical genetic variations responsible for disease susceptibility and drug response, the data can enable personalised treatment plans, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes.
-
It also paves the way for population-specific healthcare strategies, especially for conditions like diabetes, which have strong genetic links in Indian communities.
Understanding Genetic Diversity
-
Human DNA is 99.9% identical across individuals; it is the remaining 0.1% variability—around 3 to 4 million nucleotides—that determines individual uniqueness.
-
Closed communities show less genetic diversity, while heterogeneous populations exhibit wider variation.
-
GIP focuses on these unique segments, particularly the 1–2% critical mutations that influence traits, appearance, and health.
Establishing a Genetic Blueprint
-
Using blood samples, the GIP captures germline sequences—the inherited genetic information.
-
These sequences not only help in disease mapping but also provide clues to why certain treatments fail in some individuals.
-
By building a robust genetic database, GIP aims to guide preventive health policies and rare disease management tailored to Indian genetics.
Evolutionary and Ancestral Insights
-
Beyond medicine, GIP offers insights into population history and migration patterns.
-
By comparing DNA from various communities and time periods, scientists can trace ancestry, track evolutionary changes, and understand how populations adapted to different environments.
-
Such studies also help address deeper questions of identity and origins.
India’s Genomic Leap
-
GIP is India’s answer to the global Human Genome Project, which lacked sufficient Indian representation.
-
Given the enormous diversity in India’s population, this region-specific initiative fills a crucial gap and aims to build a comprehensive Indian gene bank, enhancing the country’s role in global genomic science.
|
Practice Question: The Genome India Project has the potential to revolutionize healthcare and deepen our understanding of human evolution.” Discuss the significance of the Genome India Project in the context of personalized medicine, public health policy, and population genetics in India. (250 Words /15 marks) |
