Ancient Overview of Modern Genetics as Per Ayurveda: A Review

Abstract

The human genome studies reveal that most of the diseases have a genetic component. Genetic mutation occurs either randomly or due to an environmental factor. Genetic disorders may or may not be hereditary. WHO data illustrate that the congenital anomalies are the reason for 17%–43% of infant mortality. If parent’s genetic configuration is vulnerable to some diseases, their children and grandchildren are more susceptible to such illness. This suggests that their genes or chromosomes possess aberrant changes and are carried over into next generation and results in congenital or hereditary diseases. Ancient ayurvedic acharyas had the idea that the genetic materials are transmitted from generation to generation. The expression of these can be understood with regard to prakriti. An individual’s unique physical characteristics and psychic behaviors (phenotype) depends on the prakriti. Genetics emerged in mid to late 19th Century. But centuries before itself, ancient Ayurvedic literature documented the union of sukra and shonita, concept of beeja, beejabhaga and beejabhagavayava, inheritance, congenital anomalies, and genetic disorders. Ayurveda also gave importance to personalized or individualized concepts of understanding and treating diseases. Ayurvedic concepts like garbhasambhavasamagri (factors necessary for formation of garbha) and garbhotpadaka bhava (six procreating factors), dinacharya, ritucharya, sadvritha, dharaneeya, adharaneeyavega, ritumaticharya, & garbhinicharya assures the regulation of gene sequencing and gene expression and thus can-do wonders to the challenging issues.