Pune: Indian phenotype and DNA are different from the rest of the world, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said, stressing the need for separate data on the health of the citizens.
Dr Singh, a renowned diabetologist, noted that central obesity, visceral obesity -- a known risk factor for metabolic diseases such as heart disease, and hypertension, are high in India.
"Indian phenotype is different, our DNA differs from the rest of the world hence some diseases prevail more in India. To counter these we need an integrated and holistic approach and a combination of our traditional knowledge and modern medicine," he said.
"We should have separate data on health," he added.
Calling traditional knowledge an “exclusive asset”, he noted that the Science and Technology Department has initiated a "Traditional Knowledge Digital library to achieve the best of both worlds".
The minister mentioned that people having prejudice against oriental medicine changed their opinion during Covid times, and highlighted the progress in science and technology in the last decade.
Further, Dr Singh said: "India established its own standards despite meeting the International standards". He said that from "350 startups in 2014", India now has "nearly 1.5 lakh".
