PM Modi hails Genome India Project as biotechnology milestone

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Genome India Project as a transformative initiative in genetic research and biotechnology during his virtual address on Thursday, emphasizing its role in advancing healthcare, policy-making, and India’s Bio Economy.

A historic step in research

Modi highlighted the completion of the Genome India Project, initiated five years ago, despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He praised over 20 leading institutions, including IISc, IITs, and CSIR, for sequencing the genomes of 10,000 Indians, creating a comprehensive genetic resource now hosted at the Indian Biological Data Center.

Understanding India’s genetic landscape

Modi noted the project’s significance in understanding India’s genetic diversity. By mapping regional variations in diseases, such as sickle cell anemia in tribal communities, the initiative aims to develop targeted treatments and raise awareness of hereditary diseases.

Boost to biotechnology and the Bio Economy

The Prime Minister underlined the role of biotechnology in India’s progress, linking it with sustainable development and economic growth. He highlighted the surge in India’s Bio Economy, from $10 billion in 2014 to over $150 billion today, propelled by the recently launched Bio E3 Policy aimed at making India a global biotech leader.

Strengthening India’s pharma ecosystem

Modi emphasized India’s evolving role as a global pharmaceutical hub, noting revolutionary steps in public healthcare, affordable medicines, and robust medical infrastructure. The Genome India Project, he said, would bolster India’s capacity for drug manufacturing and innovative healthcare solutions.

Fostering research and innovation

Modi highlighted government initiatives to strengthen India’s research ecosystem, including:

Establishment of over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs and hundreds of Atal Incubation Centers. Implementation of the PM Research Fellowship Scheme to support PhD scholars.
Creation of a Rs 1 lakh crore corpus to invest in sunrise technologies.

“One Nation One Subscription” initiative

The government’s decision to ensure free access to global academic journals for students and researchers through “One Nation One Subscription” was presented as a step towards transforming India into a global knowledge and innovation hub.

Global leadership and future prospects

Modi emphasized India’s growing responsibility to provide solutions to global challenges, stating that the Genome India Project reinforces India’s position in genetic research. He extended his best wishes for the project’s continued success and its role in shaping a developed and self-reliant India.