Question : GENOME PROJECT PLAN

(a) whether in global efforts to unlock the genetic cause of diseases, scientists are working on the 1000 Genomes Project Plan;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the shortage of funds is hampering the progress in this field in India;

(d) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard;

(e) whether the Indian Institute of Biomedical Genomics has applied for funds to the Welcome Trust, the organization spearheading the projects; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR EARTH SCIENCES (PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a) & (b): Yes Madam, 1000 Genomes Project, an internationally co-ordinated effort, aims to map global human genomic diversity. The overarching goal of this project is to partner with national and international scientific groups to produce a large, unbiased and systematic profile of global human genomic diversity that will serve as a resource for genetic-epidemiological studies.

(c): No Madam, adequate funds have been made available for carrying research in this field.

(d): Does not arise.

(e): Yes Madam, the scientists of National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani, West Bengal, have applied for competitive seed funding from Wellcome Trust to enable Indian participation in 1000 Genomes Project.

(f): The proposal is under examination from scientific, security and ethical angles.