Bengaluru, Dec 9: For the first time in South Asia one can
trace their geonelogy through a unique genetic test provided by a
geenomics start up Xcode.
The Chennai based company announcing the availability of such a
test on Friday said that the ”South Asian Ancestry Genetic Test”
will trace one’s ancestry in the global and South Asian
sub-population level.
The test will reveal information about oneself comparing the DNA
samples of each individual with more than 35 ethnic groups in India,
Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and other regional countries to provide
a detailed ancestry break-up, Dr Abdur Rub Co-Founder and Chief
Technology Officer, Xcode Life Sciences told newsmen here.
He said – “Our unique heritage, our unique history, the history
of our ancestors, is living within each of us! You may be 20, 30 or
50 years old, but your genes are 3 billion years old.
For the first
time in human history, genetic technology makes it possible to
uncover this unique past that each of us carry in us”.
He said the cost of the test currently was Rs 8000, but over the
period the cost could come down with increased technological
interventions.
Dr Analabha Basu, Associate Professor, in the Kolkata based
National Institute of Biomedical Genomics said “Knowledge about the
origin of the human species as a whole has the potential to reshape
our society.
The more we learn about our diversity, the more we
learn how connected we are.
It can lead to path-breaking medical
discoveries and pave the way forward to research based on our DNA
patterns.
”
Xcode will also help individuals to trace their paternal
ancestry by evaluating a person’s DNA which will decode ancient
migratory patterns of their forefathers.
Speaking about the company goal and expansion plans, Dr Abdur Rub
said “Our goal is to bring down the disease burden of metabolic
disease in India and across the world.
We intend to grow to a 1
million-customer base in the next 3 years.
We are expanding our
global footprint and are known for both genomic research as well as
high quality genetic tests, reports and related services”.
