A genomic revolution is quietly taking shape in India, through technological developments that revolutionise healthcare and agriculture by advancing DNA sequencing, customised medical care, and genetic research. The unique genetic diversity within the Indian population creates a specific chance for scientists to achieve major discoveries related to disease management and hereditary information research.
The national genetic database initiative from the Government of India, called the Genome India Project (GIP), has started building a national DNA database for developing precision medicine that is available to all Indians specifically (https://genomeindia.in/). The medical scope of India will transform due to enhanced biotech startup investments and research center advances as genomics promises cures for genetic disorders, cancer detection solutions, and drug research capabilities. Serious obstacles in the widespread availability of genomics to all populations stem from data availability, ethical concerns, and privacy concerns.
Dr Meera Iyer sits quietly in a Bengaluru laboratory, reviewing DNA sequencing data from a computer monitor. The genetic information displayed before her reveals the medical profile of a young, sick male whose doctors have been unable to carry out a diagnosis. Before recent times, his family sought medical advice from multiple specialists while performing many medical tests and remaining committed to hope. Due to quick genetic research progress, the solution to his medical issue has come within sight. After finishing her analysis, Dr Iyer contacts the boy’s family to inform them about the diagnosis and start the treatment process.
INDIA’S UNPRECEDENTED GENETIC DIVERSITY
The population of India stands at 1.4 billion, and their extensive genetic variations make the country especially strong for conducting transformative discoveries in medical prediction, precise treatment, and gene heritage studies. The initial phase of this genomic revolution started when the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) performed the first Indian genome sequencing in 2009. The nation has progressed rapidly since 2009 through major programmes such as the Genome India Project (GIP), which intends to analyse 10,000 diverse Indian genomes to develop an extensive genetic information system. The main objective of this project involves identifying genetic elements behind three major health problems in India, viz., diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and cancer.
Genetic research demonstrates how South Asians have a higher susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes because TCF7L2 gene variations exist among this population. The treatment approach based on genetic profiles becomes possible through such insights because they lead doctors to provide personalised medical care that deviates from general prescription methods.
A six-year-old resident of Mumbai has suffered from severe developmental delays along with muscle weakness throughout his life. His parents dedicated many years to finding answers while doctors told them that a valid diagnosis remained out of reach. The crucial mutation causing his symptoms became detectable through whole exome sequencing of his DNA. The discovery served two purposes: enabling doctors to write a superior treatment plan while giving the family better knowledge for future parental choice decisions.
Throughout India, there exist 70 million patients who suffer from rare genetic disorders, yet numerous cases remain unrecognisable because testing facilities and awareness levels are deficient. Genomic sequencing developments have allowed medical professionals to perform timely diagnoses of these conditions with higher accuracy. Indian families benefit from genetic testing accessibility through the start-up efforts of MedGenome, MapMyGenome, and Strand Life Sciences.
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer have transformed due to genomics. An oncologist from Delhi tells of how genomic analysis improved the medical care for a 45-year-old breast cancer patient. Traditional chemotherapy proved unsuccessful until doctors identified her HER2 gene mutation during genetic testing, which made trastuzumab (Herceptin) an ideal treatment option. Latin Callibernia showed rapid and significant improvement after only several months.
Genomic profiling has emerged as a critical solution because cancer incidence continues to grow in India. Liquid biopsies function as blood tests that identify cancer DNA to both identify diseases early and create individual treatment plans. Through this development, treatments have become highly precise, effective, and less toxic than standard chemotherapy.
GENOMICS IN AGRICULTURE
Besides medicine, genomics is a transformative technology in the agricultural field as well across India. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) employs CRISPR technology and additional genome editing methods to produce drought-resistant, pest-resistant, and nutritionally enriched crops. Through genomic sequencing, researchers learned about the pigeon pea (arhar dal) genome, a crucial Indian food source. Through genetic research programmes, breeders developed disease-resistant food plants that have improved food supplies for large populations. Through genetic research on Basmati rice, scientists have produced new varieties that need lower amounts of water during cultivation while increasing harvest per hectare. The innovations serve vital purposes because climate change has combined with variable monsoon patterns and deteriorating soil quality to pose substantial risks to Indian food production.
GENOMICS, MORALITY AND PRIVACY
The promising nature of genomics brings about vital moral and privacy issues that demand attention. Who owns genetic data? Words must be chosen to guarantee that insurance firms and employers do not misuse genomic testing. An issue reached public attention in 2020 after Indian genetic data-sharing proposals with private firms raised debates around data ownership rights. The field of genomics in India demonstrates strong development potential because initiatives aim to provide affordable and accessible genetic testing services to all. The price of whole genome sequencing has fallen from over $10,000 (approx. Rs 8 lakh) to under Rs 50,000, making it suitable for hospitals and research facilities.
Ayushman Bharat represents one of the numerous government programmes that strive to implement genomic technology throughout regular healthcare delivery systems. Multiple healthcare experts have set an objective to obtain genomic testing data from all Indian residents, so preventive care methods can discover diseases before clinical symptoms occur.
Genomics functions as an unrivaled tool that extracts vital insights from the DNA foundation to provide hope to the masses while reshaping medical care across India for the future generations. Genomics represents an active scientific breakthrough sector in India. Indian healthcare is approaching the adoption of personalised medicine through increasing government support, expanding biotech entrepreneurship, and reducing sequencing costs. However, challenges remain. Professionals specialising in genetics and bioinformatics and strong regulatory systems need immediate attention to guarantee ethical and efficient deployment. The public needs educational programmes that describe the positives and negatives of genetic examinations to help them comprehend testing methods better. The genomics revolution in India depends on coordinated actions between scientists and policymakers in addition to healthcare providers and members of the public. When properly managed as a resource, genomics can lead to medical transformations, disease prevention, secure food systems, and better living standards for countless people. India’s continued exploration of genetic heritage brings promising times for healthcare since its outlook has never appeared better.
*Dr Pallavi Somvanshi is an Associate Professor, School of Computational & Integrative Sciences (SC&IS), Jawaharlal Nehru University. She can be reached at psomvanshi@jnu.ac.in. Dr Tulika Bhardwaj teaches at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She can be reached at tulikabhardwaj@gmail.com.
