It’s late but proud to India. The trend
of number of positive cases recorded is in decreasing way. Medical experts and
doctors said that the impact of pandemic virus comes to an end by February’21
in India.
Political parties have announced free vaccination for coronavirus to
the people in their manifesto. Amid of all these, India’s first indigenously
developed test for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) based on the genetic editing
tool CRISPR/Cas-9 is likely to hit the market within the month.
Scientists have developed inexpensive,
rapid test for Covid-19. The FELUDA Test comes up with results within short
span of time (1 hour) which is similar to home pregnancy test. It is different
to other covid-19 tests. FELUDA uses paper that is treated using gene-editing
technology called CRISPR. The country is currently uses PCR swab tests and Antigen
tests to confirm Covid-19. PCR is highly
expensive and accurate as well which requires advanced lab machinery. Antigen
tests are less expensive but low accuracy rate.
FELUDA is combination of both. As the
test uses a lateral flow paper-strip for giving a negative or positive result,
it can be interpreted visually by anyone and does not require trained
personnel. It has PCR’s accuracy and
ease of Antigen test in confirming the coronavirus. Scientists are in hope the FELUDA
kit can help to fight Covid-19 in remote areas of the country. They estimate
the kit cost about US $ 6.8 each and kits will reach in market by the end of
December. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued an advisory
for the use of FELUDA paper strip test, the country’s first indigenously
developed test for coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
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