Modi releases genome sequencing data of 10K Indians

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday released the genome sequencing data of 10,000 Indian nationals. The ‘Genome India Data’, that represents the genetic diversity in the country, will be available to researchers at the Indian Biological Data Centre through “managed access”. In a video message at the start of the ‘Genome India Project’, Prime Minister said that India had taken a historic step in the field of research and the project was approved five years ago and scientists have diligently worked and completed the project despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic. “Genome India Project is an important milestone in the biotechnology revolution,” he said, noting that this project has successfully created a diverse genetic resource by sequencing the genomes of 10,000 individuals from various populations. The Prime Minister underlined there was lack of awareness in India about many genetic diseases that are passed from one generation to another and the ‘Genome India Project’ would aid in developing effective treatments for all such diseases in India.