James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double helix structure of DNA in 1953. In 1961

Genomics is the study of individual genes and their roles in inheritance. Genomics aims at the collective characterization and quantification of all of an organism's genes, their interrelations and influence on the organism. Genomics uses a combination of recombinant DNA, DNA sequencing methods, and bioinformatics to sequence, assemble, and analyse the structure and function of genomes.

DNA-sequencing technology developed

In addition to his seminal work on the amino acid sequence of insulin, Frederick Sanger and his colleagues played a key role in the development of DNA sequencing techniques that enabled the establishment of comprehensive genome sequencing projects. In 1975, he and Alan Coulson published a sequencing procedure using DNA polymerase with radiolabelled nucleotides that he called the Plus and Minus technique. This involved two closely related methods that generated short oligonucleotides with defined 3' termini. These could be fractionated by electrophoresis on a polyacrylamide gel (called  polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and visualised using autoradiography. The procedure could sequence up to 80 nucleotides in one go and was a big improvement, but was still very laborious. Nevertheless, in 1977 his group was able to sequence most of the 5,386 nucleotides of the single-stranded bacteriophage φX174, completing the first fully sequenced DNA-based genome.

Genetics and health in the developing world

We have seen what genetics offers to people with Mendelian disorders, and the potential that genomics has to offer those who suffer from more common human afflictions. But what does all of this mean for developing countries, where surely the issue is more one of the basic provision of health services rather than of access to sophisticated technologies?

What are some developing countries doing?

There is great diversity among developing countries, including wide diversity in scientific capacity and infrastructure to support healthcare search and health delivery, as well as varying patent systems. Although they are different in a number of respects, Brazil, China and India are all examples of developing countries with comparatively well  developed gene-based industries.

Genomics in India

The growth in the biotechnology industry in Indiai’s built upon its existing internationally recognized information-technology industry, a large pool of trained scientists and a dynamic generic pharmaceutical industry (Bio Spectrum, 2003). In the international market, India’s highly qualified, English speaking but comparatively low-cost work force offers a significant competitive advantage (Thorold, 2001). The Indian Government has invested substantially inbuilding the industry. The Department of Biotechnology (the Department)was established by the Indian Government in 1986and receives an annual budget of approximately

US$ 30 million (WHO, 2002).

Patent law  in India

The development in the biotechnology business in India is based upon its current universally perceived data innovation industry, an enormous pool of  

prepared researchers and a powerful nonexclusive drug industry (Bio Spectrum, 2003). In the global market, India's profoundly qualified, English talking however nearly minimal effort

labor force offers a critical upper hand (Thorold, 2001). The Indian Government has

put considerably in building the business. The Branch of Biotechnology (the Department)

was set up by the Indian Government in 1986 furthermore, gets a yearly spending plan of roughly  US$ 30 million (WHO, 2002).

Jeniffer Stewa