Dr Lalji Singh - CCMB

to establish whether a drop of blood or tiny piece of meat belongs to human or animal, and if
animal, to which species of the animal. CCMB has already using this approach in providing
the service to the society and has resolved more than 50 cases forwarded by various wildlife
curators and crime investigation agencies.
4. DNA based molecular Diagnostics
There are several genetic disorders prevalent in our country. The problem has become
much more serious because there are no adequate facilities for diagnosing these disorders.
Dr Lalji Singh and his group have set up diagnostic services for many genetic disorders such
as sickle cell anemia, Alzheimer’s disease, BCD, male infertility, pancreatitis, Robert’s
syndrome, etc. Research by Dr Lalji Singh and his colleagues further helped in better
understanding of the role played by genetic factors in these diseases and the possibility of
developing better diagnostic tools for the detection and the management of such diseases.
These services will be of tremendous help to common man in reducing their agonies
whenever therapeutic intervention is possible.
5. Genetic affinities of Andaman Islanders
Dr Lalji Singh and his group have undertaken the study on genetic diversity in primitive tribes
of India including the tribal populations of Andaman and Nicobar Islands using Y-
chromosomal markers and mtDNA sequences. Data indicates that the Andamanese have
closer affinities to Asian than to African population and suggests that they are the
descendants of the early Paleolithic colonizers of Southeast Asia – the hunter gatherers and
the first migrants moved out of Africa about 60,000-100,000 years ago. These findings have
revolutionized the ways of thinking about the origin of man in terms of their evolution and
migration from place to place.
6. Genome Foundation and its activities
Human disease and suffering are as old as humanity and genetic disorders are most
distressing since there is no cure available for them and the diseases get transmitted across
the generations. The problem of genetic disorders in India is enormous. Indians are also
genetically susceptible to common diseases, such as, diabetes and heart diseases. Thus,
prevention of disability is the only option for these disorders. However, the diagnostic
services for them are mostly focused to cater the urban India.
A group of intellectuals with high professional integrity have come together to establish this
Foundation under Dr Lalji Singh as its Managing Director, which will provide such diagnostic
services to both rural and urban populations of the country. The Foundation will function with
people’s participation and utilize the voluntary services of retired scientists and
professionals. The Foundation will establish various centres across the length and breadth
of India to take these services to the masses through networking with various NGOs and
socially committed organizations. The Foundation is already registered under Section 25 of
the Companies Act, 1956. A Foundation stone was laid recently by Dr Lalji Singh for a
building complex for “Establishing a Rural Centre of Genome Foundation in Northern India”
in Jaunpur, UP, India.
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