India Takes Giant Leap Towards Self-Reliance in Genomics
In a first for India's scientific community, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, stated that India has now become a self-sufficient nation in genomics. While speaking at the Genome India Data Conclave held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, he stated that the country is now independent of genomic data from abroad.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has now created its own complete genomic data set, a landmark step towards scientific independence. During the event, Dr. Singh unveiled the 'Indian Genomic Data Set', which includes 10,000 whole genome samples from diverse Indian populations, archived at the newly launched Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC). This data is now made accessible to researchers within India and worldwide, thus opening up a resource for further advancement in genomics research and innovation in healthcare.
Speaking at the conclave, Dr. Singh said that this was a significant achievement for India: "India has developed its own genomic data set, a monumental achievement that will fuel future medical and scientific breakthroughs". With IBDC providing for the whole-genome archives, 10,000 of the samples now come into easy accessibility for all kind of research both within the nation and in international contexts. It will support further research for genomic development and ultimately provide for individualized medicine and care.
The 10,000 WGS samples represent a rich catalog of genetic variations found within India's diverse populations. This collection will play a pivotal role in enhancing the precision of genetic studies and facilitating the development of genomic chips that are tailored to the unique genetic makeup of the Indian demographic. The availability of this data will enable more accurate genomic tools, empowering researchers to explore genetic variations and improve healthcare outcomes.
The Indian Biological Data Centre ensures that the crucial genetic information created is available at one's fingertips to researchers anywhere in the world. According to Dr. Singh, this effort will transform India into a worldwide leader in genomics, making the country capable enough to drive innovation in areas as diverse as mRNA-based vaccines and protein manufacturing for treating genetic disorders.
The Genome India project, led by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), aims to develop a robust database of India's genetic diversity. According to Dr. Singh, the project would be a powerful tool in the hands of scientists to understand India's genetic makeup and provide cutting-edge research in genetics, personalized medicine, and much more. He also added that India's rich genetic diversity mirrors its cultural, food, and geographical variety, giving it a unique advantage in genomics research.
An important aspect of the initiative is the introduction of the 'Framework for Exchange of Data (FeED)' Protocols under the Biotech-PRIDE Guidelines. It will work towards ascertaining that only high-quality, nation-specific genomic data is shared in a transparent, fair, and responsible manner that further gels India's commitment towards ethical and secure data sharing. The guidelines launched in 2021 focus specifically on Biotech-PRIDE regarding secured data exchange in order to maintain ethical standards for all genomic research based on international practice.
Dr. Singh also proudly proclaimed the amazing growth of India's bioeconomy, which is increasing from a $10 billion valuation in 2014 to more than $130 billion in 2024, with predictions that will easily hit $300 billion by 2030, which puts India well in line as one of the leading nations in biotechnology-the very industry upon which its future rests. The Minister gave full credit for the progress to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the new Bioeconomy Policy, aimed at further consolidation of India's leadership in the global bioeconomy.
It has indeed been a rather impressive dominance for India in the biotech world. Presently, India is ranked 12th in the world and 3rd in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, it has dominance in vaccine production and a burgeoning ecosystem of startups, with more than 8,500 biotechnology startups as of 2023, showing increasing influence for India in the biotech sphere.
Dr. Singh also announced the ambitious target of sequencing 10 million genomes in the coming years. This will help speed up the process of personalizing medicine and genomics research in India. He further stated that data enrichment and broadening the scope of genomic studies in India would be achieved by collaboration with institutions such as Tata Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary of DBT, highlighted the potential of the genomic data to address genetic and hereditary diseases, heralding a new era of precision healthcare in India. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, also underscored the transformative potential of this data, not only for healthcare but also for agricultural, environmental, and industrial research.
The event saw the participation of key figures such as Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR; Dr. Y Narahari, CBR, IISc Bengaluru; and Dr. Arvind Sahu, Executive Director of RCB, all of whom contributed to the successful realization of the Genome India project.
In his video message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the scientific community for this remarkable achievement. He sketched a future roadmap for India's role in global genomics, saying that the initiative is not only a testament to India's scientific excellence but also a cornerstone for the country's vision of becoming a global leader in healthcare and biotechnology. He reiterated the importance of building a Knowledge and Innovation Hub in India, which would contribute to the realization of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
With the massive amount of data that it would have and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Genome India is likely to make India the genomic research hub for the world. It will certainly lead the next scientific and medical revolution and, in so doing, significantly contribute to advancements in global healthcare and biotechnology.
