Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct ? 1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project. 2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. 3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population. Select the answer using the code given below :

The correct answer is Option B (2 and 3 only).

Statement 1 is incorrect: The GenomeIndia Project is not a part of the Human Genome Project (HGP). The HGP was a landmark international research effort completed in 2003 that aimed to sequence the first complete human genome. In contrast, the GenomeIndia Project is an independent, national initiative formally launched in January 2020 by the Government of India to address the Eurocentric bias in global genomic databases.

Statement 2 is correct: The project is entirely funded and spear-headed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It involves a national consortium of 20 leading academic and research institutions, with the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) at IISc Bengaluru serving as the primary coordinating center.

Statement 3 is correct: The primary objective of the GenomeIndia Project is to build a comprehensive catalogue of the genetic diversity of the Indian population. India comprises over 4,600 population groups with historically high rates of endogamy, leading to unique disease-linked genetic variations. By successfully collecting samples from 83 distinct population groups (spanning tribal and non-tribal populations) and completing the whole-genome sequencing of 10,000 individuals, the project has established a vital baseline for predictive diagnostics, precision medicine, and the study of genetic disorders specific to India.

Takeaway: Remember that the GenomeIndia Project is India's indigenous, DBT-funded effort to sequence 10,000 genomes, which is completely distinct from the historical global Human Genome Project.