PM Modi hails Genome project as data of 10,000 Indians go live

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced the completion of the Genome India project, which makes available database of 10,000 Indians from across the country to researchers through managed access at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC).

Unveiling the gene sequencing database at the Genome Data Conclave, organised by the Department of Biotechnology, the prime minister described it as an “important milestone in the biotechnology revolution” in the country. 

The prime minister said the initiative will help transform India as a knowledge and innovation hub, which is in line with the government’s goal of becoming `Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. 

The diverse data made available from genome sequencing, or the decoding of the composition of complex cell types of 10,000 individuals, will give a big boost to biological and medical research in the country, Modi said while addressing the Genome Data Conclave through video conferencing.

IBDC will make the data available for genomic research purposes both within and outside the country, contributing to personalised healthcare and medicine. 

Minister of state for science and technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, also launched the ‘Framework for Exchange of Data Protocols (FeED)’ and the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) Portals, making 10,000 whole genome samples accessible to researchers across India and globally.

The FeED protocols ensure sharing of high-quality, nation-specific genome data in a transparent, fair, and responsible manner, he pointed out.

The minister also pointed to the impressive growth of India’s bioeconomy – from $10 billion in 2014 to over $130 billion in 2024, and a projected growth to $300 billion by 2030. 

India, he said, now ranks 12th globally in biotech and third in the Asia-Pacific region, adding that this has been made evident with India’s ranking as the world’s largest vaccine producer and the rapid rise in the number of biotech startups - from just 50 in 2014 to over 8,500 in 2023.

Dr Singh said the diverse genomic data will serve as a foundation for cutting-edge research and help catalyse innovations in precision treatment in areas such as mRNA-based vaccines, protein manufacturing, and genetic disorders. 

Further, he said, DBT has set a target of sequencing 10 million genomes for a wider and more comprehensive data base, which would help accelerate research in genomics and personalised medicine. He also suggested collaborative research with prominent institutions such as the Tata Memorial Hospital to enrich available data.