From "Janampatri" to "Genomepatri": The (Re)Emergence of Personalized Medicine in India

• In Event: Innovation, Biocapital and the Making of Post-Genomic Medicine - I

Abstract

India has geared up with a new strategy to strengthen genomics and its translational capacity. The government is making a serious effort to use genomics knowledge in addressing local health concerns, citing genomics as a top priority in various policy documents such as the Technology Vision 2035, the National Biotechnology Strategy (2015-2020), and the National Health Policy 2017.
The innovation in personalized medicine sector in India is quite distinct from the West as it combines the knowledge of Indian traditional medicine, Ayurveda, with genomics, termed Ayurgenomics. Some companies have even linked genomics to astrology in their promotional materials. Though research in this area is at a very nascent stage, a sizeable number of companies in India are offering direct-to-consumer genetic testing to predict future disease conditions, risks and drug responses. A section of wealthy people and politicians have been attracted to various genetic testing against the backdrop of high hopes and fears. However, the scientific validity of genetic testing has been questioned in the absence of sufficient data on the Indian population. Drawing on the role of expectation in innovation and on writings on capitalism and biotechnology, the paper aims to explore: a) how key actors link the knowledge of Ayurveda and astrology to genomics and generate expectations around personalized medicine; b) the commercialization pattern of genetic tests; c) the raised scientific, ethical and societal concerns in the Indian context; and d) the existing regulatory framework. The paper provides an insight about a distinguish innovation pattern in the global south.

Author

• Shashank Shekhar Tiwari, Canadian Institute for Genomics and Society