Genetic test to find ancestry of South Asian ethnic groups

Bengaluru, Dec 8: Aim to trace one's ancestry and to find similarities between ethnic groups from India and other South Asian countries, Chennai-based genomics firm Xcode Life on Friday unveiled its "South Asian and Indian Ancestry Genetic Test" here.

"The test will reveal information about oneself comparing the DNA (molecule containing genetic instructions in a living being) samples of each individual with over 35 ethnic groups in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries to provide a detailed ancestry break-up," the company said in a statement here.

The genetic test that is conducted by sending across saliva samples to the firm, helps a person trace his/ her paternal ancestry by having their DNA evaluated, thereby understanding the migratory patterns of his/ her forefathers.

"The goal is to bring down the burden of metabolic diseases (like heart diseases that are often inherited from parents) in India and across the world," said the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Xcode Life Abdur Rub.

The genomics (study of genomes -- the genetic material in a person) firm founded in 2011 aims to expand its services like genetic tests, reports and genomic research across the globe.

"Knowledge about the origin of human species has the potential to reshape our society and pave the way forward to research based on our DNA patterns," said Associate Professor at National Institute of Biomedical Genomics Analabha Basu, who was also present.