Thu Jan 09 21:24:00 UTC 2025: ## India Unveils Massive Genome Database, Opening New Era for Precision Medicine

**New Delhi, January 10, 2025** – India has launched “Genome India,” a groundbreaking database containing the genetic information of 10,000 individuals representing 83 of the country’s diverse population groups. This comprehensive resource, housed at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) in Faridabad, will be accessible to researchers worldwide, paving the way for advancements in disease research and precision medicine.

The database, compiled over a year, reveals approximately 27 million low-frequency genetic variants, with 7 million previously unknown. Analysis also highlights varying frequencies of gene versions across different population groups. While only a small fraction of India’s population groups are currently represented (around 2% of the estimated 4,600), project leaders aim to expand the database to one million genomes in the future.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh hailed the project as a significant scientific achievement with the potential to revolutionize healthcare through targeted clinical interventions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video address, described the initiative as “historic,” emphasizing its role in strengthening India’s biotechnology sector.

Researchers seeking access to the data must submit proposals for review by an independent committee, ensuring adherence to strict data privacy and sharing policies. While the database includes information on population groups, it avoids classifying data by caste or tribe, instead utilizing numerical coding, according to Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology. Despite cost constraints, expanding the database significantly would offer invaluable insights into India’s genetic diversity, experts say. The initiative positions India at the forefront of global genomic research and personalized medicine.

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