Genomics and Health Equity: Making Precision Medicine Accessible for All

Over the last decade, healthcare has experienced a quiet revolution, fueled not by miracle drugs or surgical breakthroughs but by our knowledge of the human blueprint – genomics, the study of genes and their role in diseases. While genomic technology has the potential to transform how diseases are diagnosed and treated, this potential is severely limited by unequal access, especially evident in India. In India, the benefit from genomic advancements is currently guided by many factors such as geography, socioeconomic status, and awareness about the new technology.

In major metro cities, people are generally more aware of genomic testing for diagnosing genetic disorders. These tests are also more accessible, as most diagnostic centers are concentrated in major cities. However, families in smaller towns and rural regions often have limited access to these technologies, both due to lack of proximity to such sources and high costs. 

Why Genomics Matters

Until recently, treatments were based on a set pattern, and the same treatment was administered to all the patients suffering from the disease. However, research shows that cancers and many inherited disorders are in a major way linked to a person’s genetics. Consider the breast cancer patients. Identifying specific genetic mutations, such as the HER2 gene in breast cancer, allows doctors to prescribe targeted therapies that are safer, more effective, and tailored to individual patients.

Powered by flagship public projects like GenomeIndia, which has already sequenced 10,000 genomes across 99 ethnic groups, and CSIR’s IndiGen initiative, India’s genomics research is gathering speed. The industry and academia are working together in both hospitals and universities to turn their studies into real medical advances, and many new biomarkers have been discovered due to these partnerships. For example, eye studies have helped detect early warning signs of blindness in newborns. However, these advancements may not be accessible to most people in rural areas. 

The Challenge of Unequal Access

Currently, genomic technology is mainly restricted to metros and large private healthcare facilities. Rural clinics, where most of the Indian population seeks medical care, often lack the necessary infrastructure, trained personnel, and resources to offer genomic services.

Moreover, the high cost of genetic testing remains a major barrier. Whole-exome tests cost between Rs 15,000-Rs 40,000, very costly for an average Indian family. However, as genomic testing facilities increase it will lead to fewer misdiagnosis and wrong treatments leading to reduced long-term healthcare costs.

To make genomic technologies accessible to all, there is an urgent need to strengthen public-private partnerships. As we have seen in other sectors, government-private partnerships can also speed up the development of cost-effective genomic tests for the Indian population.

Considering the huge population that we have, there is also an urgent need to invest in training genetic counselors, bioinformaticians, and clinicians, especially in rural and small towns that are facing a huge shortage of infrastructure and trained personnel. 

The use of artificial intelligence in genomics can rapidly analyze genomic data, allowing healthcare providers in remote areas to make informed decisions without needing extensive local infrastructure.

Initiatives like the GenomeIndia project are in the right direction. More such policies should be encouraged while maintaining ethical standards. Data should be accessible for research and development institutions with defined regulations to protect patient privacy. This will turn India’s rich and diverse genetic data into homegrown diagnostics and therapeutics.

The future of healthcare is not merely about curing disease; it is about preventing, personalizing, and making it inclusive. Genomics stands at the epicenter of this revolution, but only if we address current disparities. Every individual, regardless of location or financial background, deserves equal access to precise and effective healthcare. There is an urgent need to ensure that people everywhere have access to the right diagnostic and therapeutic solutions.