Genes are the building blocks of our bodies and are responsible for the diversity of physical and other characteristics found in humans. They are incredibly complex for us to understand, but geneticists and the scientific community are developing new ways to sequence them, thus determining the exact ways in which genes create life. Everybody is unique, has its own needs, and this is true for the bodies of people with rare conditions too. A whopping 80 per cent of rare illnesses are genetic in nature causing lifelong health complications. 

In this episode, Dr Deepanjana Dutta, a genetic counsellor, traces the gene story. She discusses what we know about genes until now and how medical cures are developed. She also shares her experiences of counselling people who have had to face not just medical but social challenges since genetics is little understood in the country and diversity in the body is often unwanted.

For more stories like this, you can listen on www.sunoindia.in. Also follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

<div>Genes are the building blocks of our bodies and are responsible for the diversity of physical and other characteristics found in humans. They are incredibly complex for us to understand, but geneticists and the scientific community are developing new ways to sequence them, thus determining the exact ways in which genes create life. Everybody is unique, has its own needs, and this is true for the bodies of people with rare conditions too. A whopping 80 per cent of rare illnesses are genetic in nature causing lifelong health complications. In this episode, Dr Deepanjana Dutta, a genetic counsellor, traces the gene story. She discusses what we know about genes until now and how medical cures are developed. She also shares her experiences of counselling people who have had to face not just medical but social challenges since genetics is little understood in the country and diversity in the body is often unwanted. For more stories like this, you can listen on <a href="http://www.sunoindia.in/"><a href="http://www.sunoindia.in">www.sunoindia.in</a></a>. Also follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sunoindia.in">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SunoIndia_in">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sunoindia.in">Instagram</a>.
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There are more than 7,000 documented rare conditions in the world. While there is no known cure for some conditions, where there is a cure (or maintenance through medicines is possible), the cost of medication is exponentially high to bear. This podcast will focus on the status of rare conditions in India, which has been talked about very little in Indian society. It will be a one-of-its-kind attempt in India to document the gamut of challenges and achievements of people with rare conditions and will open a constructive dialogue on what can be done. This is important because an estimated 1 in 20 Indians are affected by a rare disease. The series will bring out the human face behind rare conditions – the patients, the families, caregivers, doctors, activists and geneticists working to improve life for people with rare conditions.

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