Current context: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has decided to scan the genomes of Indians to develop diagnostic tests that can be used to cure cancer.
a. Making a DNA data bank of Indians
b. To predict cancer risk among Indians
c. To find Virus infection from Foreigners
d. None of them
- It is a two-phase exercise and would scan the genome of nearly 20,000 Indians in the next 5 years.
- The first phase involves the sequencing of 10,000 Indians to capture the biological diversity of India.
- In the second phase, 10,000 genomes of “diseased individuals” would be taken and would be analysed using a machine learning technique to identify and predict cancer risk by understanding the genetic anomalies.
- The data generated is envisaged in a policy called the ‘Biological Data Storage, Access and Sharing Policy’, through a proposed National Biological Data Centre would allow the data to be accessible to researchers anywhere for analysis.
- Phase-1 of the Genome India Initiative is expected to be launched in October.
Question:
Q.1 The Department of Biotechnology has decided to launch Genome sequencing of 20,000 Indians for?a. Making a DNA data bank of Indians
b. To predict cancer risk among Indians
c. To find Virus infection from Foreigners
d. None of them
