Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
7) Explain what is ‘IndiGen’ project? Discuss how CSIR’s ‘IndiGen’ project will lead to precision medicine and develop its commercial gene testing services?(250 words)
Why this question:
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recently announced the conclusion of a six-month exercise (from April 2019) of conducting a “whole-genome sequence” of a 1,008 Indians.
Key demand of the question:
The question is straightforward; one must explain the concept of what is ‘IndiGen’ project and in what way it will help in precision medicine and commercial gene testing services.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief explain the context of the question.
Body:
Explain first what is whole genome sequencing?
Discuss How the CSIR enterprise work on the project – Under “IndiGen”, the CSIR drafted about 1,000 youth from across India by organizing camps in several colleges and educating attendees on genomics and the role of genes in disease. Some students and participants donated blood samples from where their DNA sequences were collected.
Explain the challenges involved.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such a project.
