More than 30,000 people are born with Down syndrome in India every year – many of whom must grapple with social stigma and discrimination. Today marks World Down syndrome Day, an opportunity to address this prejudice head-on. As previously reported by Health Issues India, “individuals with Down syndrome often face discrimination in India, with common […]
genetics
Mental health issues: The genetic component
It is an established fact that genetics, at least in part, plays a role in the surge in diabetes cases in India. Could a genetic risk factor be playing a role in the increasing numbers of those affected by mental health issues too? A report published on Tuesday in the American Journal of Psychiatry by […]
Genome studies identifying more risks in Indians
India, as of now, represents a minority of genomes within global genomic databanks. This underrepresentation could be letting a number of health conditions, as well as risks relating to the conditions, slide under the radar. One recent study of Asian genomes has uncovered the fact that a commonly-used anticonvulsant drug can have adverse effects if […]
Is genome sequencing the answer to rare diseases?
Rare diseases — despite the infrequency that the name confers — cumulatively affect around 350 million people worldwide. This figure includes roughly seventy million Indians. Could genome sequencing prove to be the tool that begins to spark medical innovation and diagnosis for the millions affected by such disorders? The Economic Times notes a recent case […]
Government funding Indian genome mapping
Genome mapping is a powerful tool, particularly in the field of preventative medicine. The impacts this field has had on India has, however, been limited. India represents almost twenty percent of the world’s population — and is on track to become the world’s most populous nation in the coming decades. Despite this only 0.2 percent […]
India delves into the study of genetics
Indian institutions are delving deeper into the study of genetics, a move that could have significant impact on health in India. As of now, Indian genomes only represent 0.2 percent in the global genetic databanks. The current majority of genomes — around 96 percent — are of European ancestry. With known genes almost exclusive to […]
Haemophiliacs struggle in silence in India
Yesterday marked World Haemophilia Day, an opportunity to raise awareness of the condition and its largely hidden footprint in India. For India’s many haemophiliacs, suffering is often in silence. Haemophilia is a genetic condition which means sufferers do not have enough clotting factor. This refers to a group of proteins in the blood which works […]
A father’s fifteen-year fight for a drug for his daughter
After fifteen years, a father has won a legal battle over medical expenses he paid to treat his daughter’s genetic condition. The Gujarat High Court has ruled in favour of Harshadkumar Pandya, an assistant teacher in Rajpipla, whose daughter was born with Silver-Russell syndrome, a form of dwarfism. Fifteen years back, on the advice of […]
What drives India’s diabetes crisis?
Diabetes cases in India are rising. Some studies suggest that it is India’s fastest growing disease. India housed an estimated 72 million cases of diabetes in 2017. This figure is expected to increase considerably to 134 million by 2025. A victim of its own success? The reasons for this rapid increase in diabetes cases are […]
As Cabinet gives nod to DNA profiling bill, fears of genetic discrimination mount
The Union Cabinet has approved a controversial bill that would allow law enforcement agencies to collect DNA samples in order to create “DNA profiles”. These would then be used in forensic-criminal investigations and missing person searches. The bill sparked vocal criticism during its formulation. Much of this opposition revolved around privacy disputes in regards to […]