April 23, 2026

Science Chronicle

A Science and Technology Blog

April 23, 2026

Science Chronicle

A Science and Technology Blog

Author: Bani Jolly

Birth defectsGenetic diseasesGenome sequencingGenomic Newborn Screening

A Healthier Start: Making A Case for Genomic Newborn Screening in India

The genomic newborn screening initiative is gaining momentum across the world, with large-scale programmes now under way in the U.S., the UK, Europe, and Australia. At least 1.7 million babies in India are born every year with birth defects, many of which are due to genetic conditions. Almost 1 in 250 children have a 250treatable genetic disease. Yet, genetic screening at birth almost does not exist in the public healthcare system in India 

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CancerChemotherapyDNA damageGenome sequencing

A genomic view of DNA damage in chemotherapy

Seventeen of 23 individuals exposed to chemotherapy had far more genetic mutations than could be explained by normal aging. Even more revealing was the discovery of eight unique mutational signatures that were found only in the chemotherapy group. While some of these fingerprints matched the known damage profiles of certain chemo drugs, four of them were entirely new to science, uncovering previously unknown ways these treatments can alter our DNA

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