Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science and Technology
Why in News?
Gujarat has become the first Indian State to launch a genome sequencing initiative focused exclusively on tribal communities.
Aim - To improve healthcare for tribal communities by creating a dedicated genomic database.
Title - “Creation of Reference Genome Database for Tribal Population in Gujarat”.
It is to sequence the genomes of 2,000 people belonging to tribal communities across 17 districts in the State.
Implementation agency - Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC).
Funding - Part of the 2025–26 State budget.
Detecting genetic disorders - The initiative will focus on early detection and targeted treatment of genetic disorders such as sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, and certain hereditary cancers.
Facilitate personalized medicine -By understanding the specific genetic variations within these communities, the project aims to enable early diagnosis and targeted treatment of diseases.
Bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern science- The initiative seeks to integrate traditional knowledge with advancements in genomic research to improve tribal health.
Create a reference genome database -The project will build a comprehensive repository of genetic markers and data specific to India's diverse tribal populations, which can be used for future research and public health planning.
