Click to play videoNew Delhi: In an effort to analyse genetic variations across the Indian population, a team of 150 scientists have come out with the country's first genetic map.
The findings have the potential to revolutionise the drug industry and clinical researches. The genetic map mines rich data on the country's disease geography.
The findings show that being a North Indian vegetarian could make one more prone to heart disorders than the southern counterparts.
Kashmiris have been found to be more resistant to HIV than the rest of India while Chhattisgarhis and Oriyas have a better immunity to malaria.
"It can be predicted that the North Indians where this variation is more and they are deficient in vitamin B12 and folic, then it may lead to cardio-vascular disorders," says Shantanu Sengupta, IGIV scientist.
The fascinating findings are the result of a mammoth study done by six Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) institutes to bring out India's first genetic map.
We will be able to identify who is pre-disposed to certain diseases looking at the genetic makeup. Not too long in the future it is anticipated that the drugs will become more personalised," Mitali Mukherjee, co-ordinator of the CSIR consortium.
Tesearchers have also identified that Salbutamol, a popular drug for treating asthma and other respiratory diseases is less effective on Rajasthani asthmatics than the rest of India.
"So we know that if there are genetic differences as per the geographical areas, so accordingly we can tight rate the dosages of medication or maybe give different treatment as suitable," says Dr Sandip Budhiraja, internal medicine, Max Hospital.
For drug companies and clinical researchers, genetic mapping could mean more complex and targeted drugs.
The government can also use the data to make policies and launch population specific programmes.
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