Which of the following statements best explains the principle, advancements, and strategic implications of genome sequencing in the context of human health and national bioinformatics policy?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Genome sequencing determines the complete order of nitrogenous bases (A, T, G, C) in an organism's DNA, enabling identification of genetic variants associated with disease predisposition, and has catalyzed personalized medicine and national initiatives like India's "IndiGen" project.
Explanation:
☛ Genome sequencing is the laboratory process of determining the exact sequence of four chemical bases—Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G), and Cytosine (C)—that make up an organism's complete DNA.
☛ It helps scientists understand genetic variations linked to specific hereditary conditions, rare diseases, and susceptibility to chronic disorders.
☛ In healthcare, it enables personalized medicine (precision medicine), allowing treatments and drug therapies to be tailored to an individual’s genetic profile.
☛ In India, the IndiGen initiative was undertaken by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to sequence 1,029 Indian individuals to build a baseline for population genomics and precision public health.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ GenomeIndia Project: Supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), it aimed to sequence 10,000 reference genomes representing India's immense genetic diversity.
☛ Human Genome Project (HGP): An international research initiative formally launched in 1990 and declared complete in 2003, sequencing nearly the entire human genome.
☛ CRISPR-Cas9: A targeted genome-editing tool (molecular scissors), which is different from genome sequencing.
☛ Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC): India's first national biological data repository established at Faridabad, Haryana.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which nitrogenous bases pair together in a double-stranded DNA molecule? → Adenine pairs with Thymine (A-T), and Guanine pairs with Cytosine (G-C)
☛ In which year was the international Human Genome Project officially completed? → 2003
☛ Which Indian organization launched the IndiGen project in 2019? → Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
☛ Where is the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) located? → Faridabad, Haryana
☛ Who is known as the pioneer of the first widely used DNA sequencing technique in 1977? → Frederick Sanger