India’s first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project launched by Gujarat Government; Full details

Taking a historic step in the field of health research in India, the Gujarat Government has started the country’s first tribal genome sequencing project. The purpose of this project is not only to identify diseases, but it is a revolutionary initiative towards understanding and improving the health of the tribal communities of the country at the DNA level.

Ahmedabad: Taking a historic step in the field of health research in India, the Gujarat Government has started the country's first tribal genome sequencing project. The purpose of this project is not only to identify diseases, but it is a revolutionary initiative towards understanding and improving the health of the tribal communities of the country at the DNA level.

Disease Will Be Detected By 'Genes'

This will be the first time in the country that a state has prepared a research framework at the genome level to understand the genetic structure of the tribals. This is not just science, but an effort to provide healthcare to that section of the society, which often remains out of the focus of policy-making. Under this mission, genome sequence of 2000 tribal people living in 17 districts of Gujarat will be done. It will be monitored and operated by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre.

Why Is This Project Special?

Health schemes in India till now have been focused on general data and general population, while no concrete data was available about the special biological structure and disease resistance properties of tribal communities. This project is going to give scientific recognition to this 'unseen population'. An early warning system of diseases will be developed. Early identification and personalized treatment of diseases like sickle cell anemia, thalassemia will be possible. Data of genes with natural resistance to diseases will give a new dimension to the health policy of the country.

The Tribal Genome Project is not only a scientific mission, but more than that it is linked to the concept of social justice. The tribal society, which has been marginalized for a long time, is now getting scientific recognition of their health rights for the first time.

Future Prospects

If the success of this project is ensured, then this model can be adopted in other states of the country like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Northeast India. This can lay the foundation of a "Genomic Revolution" in the country's health system. This data, which is revolutionary for policy, research and health, can be used in the future in major areas like personalized medicine, disease prediction modeling and protection of natural gene wealth. This project can become a powerful tool not only for health, but also for policy and research.