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Biotech-KISAN Programme

Why in News The Ministry of Science and Technology has issued a Special Call for the NorthEast Region as a part of its Mission Programme...

21 Jun 2021 Biotechnology
Nano Urea Liquid: IFFCO

Why in News Recently, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) introduced the world's first Nano Urea Liquid for farmers across the...

01 Jun 2021 Biotechnology
Whiteflies: Threat to Agriculture

Why in News According to a recent study, exotic invasive whiteflies in India are causing direct and indirect yield losses in agriculture,...

25 May 2021 Biotechnology
Chimera Research: Human Cells in Monkey Embryos

Why in News Recently, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in the US in a research called Chimera Research have for the first...

21 Apr 2021 Biotechnology
Covid-19 Reinfection

Why in News A team of scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) examined the cases of 1,300 individuals who had tested positive...

03 Apr 2021 Biotechnology
Genome Mapping in Indian Ocean

Why in News National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is going to launch the first-of-its-kind project of Genome Mapping in the Indian...

13 Mar 2021 Biotechnology
Global Bio-India-2021

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare inaugurated the second edition of Global Bio-India-2021 in New Delhi...

03 Mar 2021 Biotechnology
Genetically Modified Organisms as Imported Food Crops

Why in News The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in a recent order has set 1% threshold for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)...

27 Feb 2021 Biotechnology
Dickinsonia: Earliest Known Living Animal

Why in News Recently, researchers have discovered three fossils of the earliest known living animal, the 550-million-year-old...

15 Feb 2021 Biotechnology
DNA Technology Regulation Bill

This article is based on “The DNA bill will cement a disturbing link between tech and policing” which was published in The Hindustan...

13 Feb 2021 Biotechnology
Arka Shubha: New Marigold Variety

Why in News The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) has developed a new marigold variety named Arka Shubha. Key...

10 Feb 2021 Biotechnology
Hunter Syndrome: MPS II

Why in News Two brothers suffering from Mucopolysaccharidosis II or MPS II (Hunter Syndrome, Attenuated Type) have approached the Delhi High Court...

09 Feb 2021 Biotechnology
Year End Review: Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

Important Schemes and Policies UNATI Atal Jai Anusandhan Mission Programmes UNATI Atal Jai Anusandhan Mission has been implemented by DBT with a...

06 Feb 2021 Biotechnology
Concerns Over DNA Bill, 2019

Why in News Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change has recommended that...

05 Feb 2021 Biotechnology
Rapid Blood Test to Predict Covid-19 Disease Severity

Why in News Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis (WUSTL) have published a paper showing that a relatively simple and...

18 Jan 2021 Biotechnology
BBX11 Gene: Greening of Plants

Why in News Recently, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) has recognized the BBX11 gene that facilitates the greening of...

26 Dec 2020 Biotechnology
Intentional Genomic Alteration

Why in News Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a first-of-its-kind Intentional Genomic Alteration (IGA) in a line of...

22 Dec 2020 Biotechnology
The Cancer Genome Atlas 2020 Conference

Why in News The Minister of Science and Technology has virtually inaugurated the 2nd TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) 2020 Conference in New...

05 Dec 2020 Biotechnology
Making India A Biotech Hub

This article is based on “Making of a biotech hub” which was published in The Indian Express on 20/11/2020. It talks about how India...

23 Nov 2020 Biotechnology
World Food Day

Why in News World Food Day is celebrated to commemorate the establishment of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on 16th...

17 Oct 2020 Biotechnology

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		'article_id' => (int) 8655,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Biotech-KISAN Programme',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Science and Technology</strong> has issued a <strong>Special Call for the NorthEast Region</strong> as a part of<strong> its Mission Programme &ldquo;Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN)&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a<strong> scientist-farmer partnership</strong> scheme<strong> launched in 2017.</strong></li>
<li>It is a<strong> pan-India program,</strong> following a <strong>hub-and-spoke model</strong> and stimulates entrepreneurship and innovation in farmers and empowers women farmers.</li>
<li>The<strong> Biotech-KISAN</strong> hubs are expected to fulfil the technology required to generate agriculture and bio-resource related jobs and better livelihood ensuring biotechnological benefits to small and marginal farmers.</li>
<li>Farmers are also <strong>exposed to best global farm management and practices.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ministry:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is a farmer-centric scheme developed by and with farmers under the <strong>Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was <strong>launched for agriculture innovation</strong> with an objective to connect science laboratories with the farmers to find out innovative solutions and technologies to be applied at farm level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Progress:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>146 Biotech-KISAN Hubs</strong> have been established covering all 15 agroclimatic zones and 110<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/surakshit-hum-surakshit-tum-abhiyan-aspirational-districts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Aspirational Districts</strong> </a>in the country.</li>
<li>The scheme has benefitted <strong>over two lakhs farmers</strong> so far by increasing their agriculture output and income. <strong>Over 200 entrepreneurships</strong> have also been developed in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Present Call:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The present call specifically focuses on the <strong>North East Region (NER)</strong> as it is predominantly agrarian<strong> with 70% of its workforce</strong> engaged in agriculture and allied sector for livelihood.</li>
<li>The region produces <strong>merely 1.5 %</strong> of the country's food grain and continues to be a <strong>net importer of food grains</strong> even for its domestic consumption.</li>
<li>The <strong>NER has untapped potential</strong> to enhance the income of the farming population by promotion of location specific crops, horticultural and plantation crops, fisheries and livestock production.</li>
<li>The<strong> Biotech-KISAN Hubs in NER</strong> will collaborate with the top scientific institutions across the country as well as State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/krishi-vigyan-kendra-kvk-conference-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)</strong></a>/existing state agriculture extension services/system in the NER for demonstrations of technologies and training of farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Biotechnology in Agriculture</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agricultural Biotechnology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Agricultural biotechnology is a <strong>range of tools,</strong> including traditional breeding techniques, that <strong>alter living organisms, or parts of organisms,</strong> to make or modify products; improve plants or animals; or develop microorganisms for specific agricultural uses.</li>
<li>Modern biotechnology today includes the tools of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/genetic-engineering-promises-perils" target="_blank" rel="noopener">genetic engineering</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Examples:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO):</strong> These are plants, bacteria, fungi and animals whose genes have been altered by manipulation. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-seeds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GM plants</strong> </a>(Bt Cotton) have been useful in many ways.</li>
<li><strong>Biopesticide: Bacillus thuringiensis is a naturally occurring soil bacterium</strong> that causes disease on insect pests. It is<strong> accepted in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/organic-farming-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">organic farming</a> and is considered ideal for pest management</strong> due to its low cost, ease of application, high virulence and narrow host specificity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>GMO leads to a number of advantages in the crops which include -there is <strong>less loss after harvest,</strong> the crops <strong>can be modified to have additional nutrients value</strong> for human welfare.</li>
<li>The use of some of these crops <strong>can simplify work and improve safety for farmers.</strong> This allows farmers to spend less of their time managing their crops and <strong>more time on other profitable activities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disadvantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Antibiotic Resistance:</strong> There is a concern that new <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/to-the-point-paper-3-antimicrobial-resistance-amr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>antibiotic-resistant bacteria</strong></a> could emerge which would be difficult to tackle with conventional antibiotics.</li>
<li><strong>Potential of &lsquo;superweeds&rsquo;:</strong> The transgenic plants could pollinate with the unwanted plants (weeds) and thereby relay the gene of herbicide-resistance or pesticide-resistance into them, thereby converting them into <strong>&lsquo;superweeds&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Loss of Biodiversity in Organisms:</strong> The extensive use of agritech varieties of seeds have made some agriculturists fearful as this may hurt the biodiversity of plant species.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The extensive use of GMO varieties is because of the fact that they are more profitable and drought resistant which has made farmers abandon their traditional varieties of plants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1728507" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8498,
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		'title' => 'Nano Urea Liquid: IFFCO',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)</strong> introduced the <strong>world's first Nano Urea Liquid</strong> for farmers across the world.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>one of India's biggest cooperative societies</strong> which is <strong>wholly owned by Indian <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bihar-to-sell-kashmiri-apples" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cooperatives</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Founded in 1967</strong> with just 57 cooperatives, today it is an amalgamation of over 36,000 Indian Cooperatives with <strong>diversified business interests ranging from General Insurance to Rural Telecom</strong> apart from its core business of manufacturing and selling fertilisers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>enable Indian farmers to prosper through timely supply of reliable, high quality agricultural inputs and services</strong> in an environmentally sustainable manner and to undertake other activities to improve their welfare.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>nutrient</strong> (liquid)<strong> to provide nitrogen to plants</strong> as an alternative to the conventional urea.</li>
<li>It is <strong>developed to replace conventional urea</strong> and it can <strong>curtail the requirement of the same by at least 50%.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It contains 40,000 mg/L of nitrogen in a 500 ml bottle which is <strong>equivalent to the impact of nitrogen nutrient provided by one bag of conventional urea.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conventional urea is effective 30-40%</strong> in delivering nitrogen to plants, while the effectiveness of the <strong>Nano Urea Liquid is over 80%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Its <strong>effectiveness</strong> has been tested in over <strong>11,000 farmers&rsquo; fields for 94 crops like rice and wheat.</strong></li>
<li>An average <strong>8% increase in yield</strong> has been witnessed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Developed At:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been<strong> indigenously</strong> developed at <strong>Nano <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biotechnology-and-its-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Biotechnology</a> Research Centre, Kalol, Gujrat</strong> in line with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a> and<strong> Atmanirbhar Krishi.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is <strong>dependent on imports</strong> to meet its<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subsidy-policy-for-urea-produced-from-coal-gasification" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> urea requirements.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Improves Plant Nutrition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has been found effective and efficient for plant nutrition which<strong> increases the production with improved nutritional quality.</strong></li>
<li>It will <strong>boost a balanced nutrition program by reducing the excess use of Urea application</strong> in the soil and will make the crops stronger, healthier and protect them from <strong>lodging effect.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Lodging</strong> is the bending over of the stems near ground level of grain crops, which makes them very difficult to harvest, and can <strong>dramatically reduce yield.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improves Environment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will also have a <strong>huge positive impact on the quality of underground water,</strong> a very <strong>significant reduction in global warming</strong> with an<strong> impact on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate change</a> </strong>and<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> sustainable development.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase Farmers&rsquo; Income:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is easy on the pocket of farmers and will be effective in <strong>increasing farmers' income.</strong> It will also significantly <strong>bring down the cost of logistics and warehousing.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/iffco-launches-worlds-first-nano-liquid-urea-7338821/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8443,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Whiteflies: Threat to Agriculture',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to a recent study,<strong> exotic <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/invasive-species-charru-mussel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invasive</a> whiteflies</strong> in India are causing <strong>direct and indirect yield losses in agriculture, horticulture and forestry crop plants.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Whiteflies</strong> are<strong> tiny, sap-sucking insects</strong> that may become abundant in vegetable and ornamental plantings, especially during warm weather. They excrete sticky honeydew and<strong> cause yellowing or death of leaves.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Spread of Whiteflies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> first reported invasive spiralling whitefly <em>(Aleurodicus dispersus)</em></strong> is now distributed throughout India <strong>except Jammu &amp; Kashmir.</strong></li>
<li>Similarly, the <strong>rugose spiralling whitefly</strong> <em><strong>(Aleurodicus rugioperculatus)</strong> </em>which was reported in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu in 2016 has now spread throughout the country including the islands of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep.</li>
<li><em>Aleurodicus dispersus</em> and <em>Aleurodicus rugioperculatus</em> have been <strong>reported on over 320 and 40 plant species,</strong> respectively.</li>
<li>Most of the whitefly species are<strong> native to the Caribbean islands or Central America.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Spread:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The host range of all of the invasive whiteflies has been increasing due to their <strong>polyphagous nature</strong> (ability to feed on various kinds of food) and <strong>prolific breeding.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>increasing import of plants and increasing globalization and movement of people</strong> has aided the spread of different varieties and their subsequent growth into invasive species.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Damage to Crops:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Whiteflies reduce the production yield and also damage crops. Approximately <strong>1.35 lakh hectares of coconut and oil palm</strong> in India are <strong>affected by the rugose spiralling whitefly.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Other invasive whiteflies</strong> were also found to<strong> expand their host range on valuable plant species,</strong> especially coconut, banana, mango, sapota, guava, cashew, oil palm, and ornamental plants such as bottle palm, false bird of paradise, butterfly palm and important medicinal plants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ineffectiveness of Insecticides:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Whiteflies have been difficult to control by using available synthetic insecticides.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Controlling Whiteflies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Biological Control Methods:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They are currently being controlled by naturally occurring <strong>insect predators, parasitoids</strong> (natural enemies of pests, provide biological control of pests in greenhouses and crop fields) and <strong>entomopathogenic fungi</strong> (fungi that can kill insects).</li>
<li><strong>Entomopathogenic fungi</strong> specific to whiteflies are isolated, purified, grown in the lab or mass-produced and applied into the whitefly infested field in combination with the release of lab-reared potential predators and parasitoids.</li>
<li>They are not just<strong> environmentally friendly</strong> but also<strong> economically feasible.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Other Pests/Insects Attacking Crops</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/armyworm-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fall Armyworm (FAW) Attack:</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a dangerous transboundary insect with a high potential to spread rapidly due to its natural distribution capacity and opportunities presented by international trade.</li>
<li>In 2020, the Directorate of Agriculture reported an armyworm attack on the standing crops in the northeastern Dhemaji district of Assam and the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Food and Agriculture Organisation</strong></a> <strong>(FAO)</strong> has launched a <strong>Global Action for FAW</strong> Control as a response to the international threat posed by the armyworms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/locust-invasion-in-gujarat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Locust Invasion</strong></a>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A locust (Migratory insect also known as tiddi) is a large, mainly tropical grasshopper with strong powers of flight. They differ from ordinary grasshoppers in their ability to change behaviour (gregarize) and form swarms that can migrate over large distances.</li>
<li>Locust adults can eat their own weight every day, i.e. about two grams of fresh vegetation per day. A very small swarm eats as much in one day as about 35,000 people, posing a devastating threat to crops and food security.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/maharashtra-to-take-emergency-measures-to-tackle-pink-bollworm-pbw#:~:text=The%20pink%20bollworm%20(Pectinophora%20gossypiella,a%20pest%20in%20cotton%20farming.&amp;text=In%20parts%20of%20India%2C%20the,single%20Bt%20gene%20(Cry1Ac)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pink Bollworm (PBW)</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <em>(Pectinophora gossypiella)</em>, is an insect known for being a pest in<strong> cotton farming.</strong></li>
<li>The pink bollworm is native to Asia, but has become an invasive species in most of the world&rsquo;s cotton-growing regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Continuous monitoring</strong> of the <strong>occurrence of invasive species,</strong> their host plants and <strong>geographical expansion</strong> is needed, and if required, import of<strong> potential natural enemies</strong> for bio-control programmes can also be carried out.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/how-whiteflies-came-saw-and-conquered-indias-crops/article34623516.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8197,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Chimera Research: Human Cells in Monkey Embryos',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, researchers at the<strong> Salk Institute for Biological Studies in the US</strong> in a research called <strong>Chimera Research</strong> have <strong>for the first time grown human cells in monkey embryos.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>By integrating human cells into the embryos of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rhesus-macaque-declared-vermin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">macaque monkeys</a>,</strong> a <strong>chimeric tool</strong> has been created. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Chimeras</strong> are organisms that are <strong>made up of the cells of two distinct species,</strong> in this case humans and monkeys.</li>
<li>For instance, if this hybrid embryo was placed in the womb of a monkey, <strong>it could possibly grow into a new kind of an animal</strong> (however this was not the aim of this study).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Purpose of the Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Understanding Human Development &amp; Drug Evaluation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ability to grow cells of two different species together offers scientists a <strong>powerful tool for research and medicine,</strong> advancing current understanding about early human development, disease onset and progression and ageing.</li>
<li>It could also <strong>help in drug evaluation and address the critical need for organ transplantation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Provides New Platform to Study Diseases:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chimeric tools provide a new platform to study<strong> how certain diseases arise.</strong> For instance, a particular gene that is associated with a certain type of cancer could be engineered in a human cell.</li>
<li>It can help in <strong>studying the course of disease progression</strong> using the engineered cells in a chimeric model, which may be able to tell them more about the disease than results obtained from an animal model.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for Choosing Macaque:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In a 2017 study, researchers<strong> integrated human cells into pig tissues</strong> as they thought that pigs, whose organ size, physiology and anatomy are similar to that of humans, could help them in creating organs that could ultimately be transplanted to humans.</li>
<li>As the<strong> experiment failed</strong> due to <strong>evolutionary distance between pigs and humans</strong> (about 90 million years) the researchers<strong> decided to pick a species that was more closely related to humans,</strong> hence macaque monkeys were chosen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Not Natural and have Survival Issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some rare hybrid animals exist naturally and were probably the result of <strong>unintentional cross breeding</strong> between animals of different species. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2014, a rare hybrid animal called <strong>Geep (Goat+Sheep)</strong> was born in an Irish farm. Geep was a hybrid between a goat and a sheep, a result of the two mating.</li>
<li>Generally, different species don&rsquo;t cross-breed and if they do, their <strong>offspring don&rsquo;t survive</strong> for long and are prone to infertility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Infertility:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mules</strong> are another example of a hybrid animal that are the result of mating between a female horse and a male donkey. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per the American Mule Museum, <strong>these hybrid animals are the result of intentional breeding by humans,</strong> which they first undertook in the ancient times.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>While mules can live a long healthy life, <strong>they are infertile</strong> which means that they cannot have offspring of their own.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Injustice Against Animals for Human Benefit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Although researchers have made it clear that the chimeras created with macaques will not be used for human organs still <strong>there is skepticism since others feel that one of the goals of chimera research is to create organs that can be transplanted to humans.</strong></li>
<li>Chimera research <strong>has the potential to worsen injustice against animals</strong> and also point out the fairness in using part-human animals to meet human needs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2018 a scientist in China claimed to have produced genetically modified babies using the gene editing technique <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/crispr-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)</strong></a>. He was sentenced to prison for three years, with a fine of 3 million yuan (approx. Rs 3 crore), for illegal medical practice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Laws on Hybrid Animals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India production of hybrid animals has been banned since 1985..</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-organisms-as-imported-food-crops#:~:text=Genetically%20Modified%20Organisms%20(GMOs)%3A,or%20through%20traditional%20crossbreeding%20methods." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)</strong></a> and the products are regulated under the <strong>&ldquo;Rules for the manufacture, use, import, export &amp; storage of hazardous microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms or cells, 1989&rdquo;</strong> (referred to as Rules, 1989) notified under<strong> the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</a></strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These Rules are<strong> implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Climate Change</a>,</strong> Department of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biotechnology-and-its-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biotechnology</strong></a> and State Governments though six competent authorities.</li>
<li>The Rules, 1989 are <strong>supported by a series of guidelines</strong> on contained research, biologics, confined field trials, food safety assessment, environmental risk assessment etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Genetic modification like chimera studies continues to be a <strong>subject of major debate.</strong> In developing countries like India, <strong>genetically modified crops are also a contentious topic.</strong></li>
<li>Tampering with the genetic code in human beings is more controversial, <strong>as any such change can be passed down to future generations.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-human-cells-grown-in-monkey-embryos-sparked-ethics-debate-7281659/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1618994526047000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1tGFkpr5Af5aY79GHqtlJ7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8070,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Covid-19 Reinfection',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A team of scientists from the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-to-test-for-community-transmission-of-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong> </a>examined the cases of 1,300 individuals who had tested positive for the corona virus twice.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was found that 58 cases of the 1,300 individuals or <strong>4.5% could be classified as possible reinfections.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Worldwide Cases of Reinfection:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The first confirmed case was reported from <strong>Hong Kong.</strong></li>
<li>A couple of cases from the<strong> United States and Belgium</strong> also emerged.</li>
<li>However, there have been several cases of<strong> people testing positive for the virus multiple times,</strong> even in India, but not all such cases are considered reinfections. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such cases are the result of what is called <strong>&ldquo;persistent viral shedding&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Persistent Viral Shedding</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When an individual gets infected by a respiratory virus like SARS-CoV-2, the virus particles bind to the various types of viral receptor.</li>
<li>Thus, Recovered patients can sometimes continue to carry low levels of virus within their system for up to three months.</li>
<li>These levels are no longer enough to make the person sick or transmit the disease to others, but it can get detected in diagnostic tests.</li>
<li>The disease developed from such persistent virus is what is called Persistent viral shedding.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of the Study of Reinfection:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is crucial to make it clear whether a person who has been infected once develops permanent immunity against the disease, or can get reinfected after some time.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This understanding of the possibility of reinfection is <strong>crucial to the fight</strong> against the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will help <strong>decide the intervention strategies</strong> required to control the spread of the disease.</li>
<li>It will also help assess <strong>how long people would have to depend on masks and physical distancing.</strong></li>
<li>It will have implications on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccine-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>vaccination drive</strong> </a>as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Determination of Reinfection:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/double-mutant-coronavirus-variant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Genome sequence</a> analysis</strong> of the virus sample is done by scientists for conclusive proof of reinfection. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Because the virus mutates continuously, the genome sequences of the two samples would have some differences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, virus samples from every infected person are not being collected for genome analysis.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Therefore, in most of the cases there is usually no<strong> genome sequence</strong> from the previous infection to compare with.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Thus the scientists of ICMR looked at cases in which patients had reported <strong>positive results at least at the gap of 102 days.</strong> That would not include the disease from persistent viral shedding. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the <strong>Centers for Disease Control (CDC)</strong> in the USA, <strong>viral shedding continues until only about 90 days.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Symptoms in Reinfection:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The majority of the disinfectant patients <strong>remained asymptomatic</strong> during the intervening period, while few reported <strong>mild symptoms.</strong></li>
<li>Some had symptoms such as <strong>intermittent fever, cough, or shortness of breath.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications of the Reinfection:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scientists point out that <strong>permanent immunity cannot be assumed.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Reinfection might very well be happening and could be confirmed if it was possible to do genome analysis of every infected person.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If reinfection is the case the use of masks and social distancing would be a new normal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the<strong> apex body in India</strong> for the formulation, coordination and promotion of <strong>biomedical research.</strong></li>
<li>Its mandate is to conduct, coordinate and implement medical research for the benefit of the Society; translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.</li>
<li>It is funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, <strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-likely-is-covid-reinfection-7256618/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7920,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Genome Mapping in Indian Ocean',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assessment-of-plastics-along-the-west-coast-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Institute of Oceanography</a> (NIO)</strong> is going to launch the <strong>first-of-its-kind project of Genome Mapping</strong> in the <strong>Indian Ocean.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Ocean is the third largest water body in the world, covering about 20% of the Earth&rsquo;s water surface.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1615612288_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1615612288_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>gather samples</strong> for <strong>genome mapping of microorganisms</strong> in the Indian Ocean.</li>
<li>To <strong>understand the biochemistry</strong> and the <strong>response of the ocean to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate change</a>, nutrient stress</strong> and <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/marine-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increasing pollution</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Project Cost &amp; Duration:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Rs. <strong>25 crore</strong> and will take<strong> three years</strong> to complete.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A team of scientists and researchers from the NIO on board its research vessel <strong>Sindhu Sadhana</strong> will spend 90 days traversing the course of over <strong>10,000 nautical miles</strong> in the Indian Ocean on the research project to <strong>reveal the internal working of the body of the ocean at a cellular level.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They will course the Indian Ocean <strong>from India&rsquo;s east coast</strong>, Australia, Port Louis in Mauritius and up <strong>to the border of Pakistan, off India&rsquo;s west coast.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Genome Collection:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The researchers will <strong>collect samples</strong> from various stretches of the ocean at an<strong> average depth of about 5 km.</strong></li>
<li>Just like <strong>gene mapping</strong> is carried out on blood samples collected from humans, the scientists will map these <strong>in the bacteria, microbes found in the ocean.</strong></li>
<li>The mapping of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-dna-technology-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA)</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/microrna" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)</strong></a> will show the nutrients present in them, and also those lacking in different parts of the ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Studying Trace Elements:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Trace metals like <strong>cadmium or copper</strong> are supplied to oceans via continental run-offs, atmospheric deposition, hydrothermal activities and continental shelf interaction. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They are <strong>essential for ocean productivity.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is important to understand the <strong>interactions of trace metals with marine biota</strong> &ldquo;for having a holistic understanding about nutrient cycling and productivity of the oceans&rdquo;.</li>
<li>Apart from their reactions on marine life, <strong>isotopic forms of trace metals can be utilised to track the movement of water masses</strong> responsible for ocean circulation and as tools to study the biological, geochemical and ecosystem processes and food web analyse.</li>
<li>The NIO&rsquo;s project is expected <strong>to generate new information about trace metals from underexplored regions</strong> of the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Understanding Ecosystem:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will help scientists understand the internal <strong>working of the ecosystem</strong> of the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Understanding Factors Causing Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The research will enable scientists to identify the <strong>factors controlling the changes in RNA, DNA in the oceans</strong>, and various stressors impacting them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Identifying Mineral Concentration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The ocean has several <strong>micronutrients</strong> like nitrates, sulphates and silicates, <strong>minerals</strong> like iron ore and zinc, and <strong>trace metals</strong> like cadmium or copper.</li>
<li>The genome mapping will show the <strong>presence of which these microbes have adapted to</strong>, in addition to their reaction to atmospheric carbon dioxide.</li>
<li>This will help in <strong>identifying which part of the ocean has a greater concentration of which mineral or element.</strong></li>
<li>Scientists will then use these as tracers to tackle the causative factors for excess or lack of a certain mineral or element and <strong>suggest possible solutions for their mitigation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Human Benefit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>large pool of RNA, DNA library of the</strong> <strong>oceans</strong> will be utilised for using the Indian Ocean to <strong>human benefit in the future.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased Biotechnology Application:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Genome mapping will enable an increase in the <strong>growing number of commercial <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biotechnology-and-its-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener">biotechnology applications</a></strong>, extending from multiple anticancer treatments to cosmetics and industrial enzymes, to antiviral molecules.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Optimization of Conservation Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Exploration of the ocean at a genetic level will result in <strong>new insights into taxonomy</strong> and adaptive capacity that can help optimize conservation efforts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Genome</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A genome is the complete set of DNA (or RNA in RNA viruses) of an organism.</li>
<li>Each genome contains <strong>all of the information needed to build and maintain that organism.</strong></li>
<li>In humans, a copy of the entire genome contains more than 3 billion DNA base pairs.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Genome Mapping</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It describes the methods used to identify the locus of a gene and the <strong>distances between genes</strong>. Gene mapping can also describe the distances between different sites within a gene.</li>
<li>Taking inspiration from the Human Genome Project, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) initiated the ambitious <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genome-india-project-approved#:~:text=Human%20Genome%20Project.-,Human%20Genome%20Project,probably%20about%2020%2C500%20human%20genes." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Genome India Project&rdquo; (GIP)</strong></a> in January 2020. The GIP aims to collect 10,000 genetic samples from citizens across India, to build a reference genome.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Institute of Oceanography</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>multi-disciplinary oceanographic research institute</strong> and is one of the constituent laboratories of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Council of Scientific &amp; Industrial Research (CSIR)</strong></a>, New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarter and Other Centres:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its <strong>headquarters is at Dona Paula, Goa</strong> with regional centres at Kochi (Kerala), Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Established:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was established on <strong>1<sup>st</sup> January 1966</strong> following the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assessment-of-plastics-along-the-west-coast-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE)</strong></a> in the 1960s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Research Areas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The principal focus of research has been on <strong>observing and understanding special oceanographic characteristics of the Indian Ocean.</strong></li>
<li>The major research areas include the four traditional branches of oceanography - <strong>biological, chemical, geological/geophysical and physical</strong>, as well as <strong>ocean engineering, marine instrumentation and marine archaeology.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/nio-scientists-indian-ocean-research-project-explained-7223532/"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7826,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Global Bio-India-2021 ',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Union Minister for Health &amp; Family Welfare</strong> inaugurated the <strong>second edition of Global Bio-India-2021</strong> in New Delhi through virtual mode.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It showcases the <strong>strength and opportunities of India's <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biotechnology-and-its-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener">biotechnology</a> sector</strong> at national level and to the global community.</li>
<li>The minister unveiled the <strong>&ldquo;National Biotech Strategy&rdquo;</strong> and also inaugurated the <strong>Virtual Exhibition of Global Bio-India</strong> at the occasion.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>mega international congregation of Biotechnology</strong>, with stakeholders including international bodies, regulatory bodies, Central and State Ministries, SMEs, large industries, bioclusters, research institutes, investors, and the startup ecosystem.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims at <strong>facilitating the recognition of India</strong> as an <strong>emerging Innovation Hub</strong> and the bio-manufacturing hub globally.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India was ranked 48<sup>th</sup> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-innovation-index-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Innovation Index Report 2020.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bio- Partnering, Policy Discussions, CEO's plans for India and <strong>connecting</strong> <strong>Indian Biotech ecosystem with international ecosystem</strong> and creating platforms for <strong>new idea evaluation and investments.</strong></li>
<li>Showcase and identify <strong>key biotechnological innovations, products, services, technologies</strong> from national and international companies, start-ups and research institutes.</li>
<li><strong>Attracting major contract projects</strong> from international companies as well as major global venture funding into India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Report 2020</strong></a>, India is now ranked <strong>1<sup>st</sup> among South-Asian countries</strong> compared to 6<sup>th</sup> rank in 2014.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Organisers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Co-organised by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science &amp; Technology along with its Public Sector Undertaking <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)</strong></a> in partnership with industry association <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/signs-of-economic-recovery-cii#:~:text=and%20industry%20confidence.-,Confederation%20of%20Indian%20Industries,through%20advisory%20and%20consultative%20processes." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)</strong></a>,<strong> Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises</strong> (ABLE) and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/invest-india-business-immunity-platform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Invest India.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>ABLE</strong> is a <strong>not-for-profit pan-India forum</strong> that represents the Indian <strong>Biotechnology</strong> Sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biotechnology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Biotechnology is technology that <strong>utilizes biological systems, living organisms or parts of this to develop or create different products.</strong></li>
<li>Biotechnology <strong>deals with industrial scale production</strong> of biopharmaceuticals and biologicals using genetically modified microbes, fungi, plants and animals.</li>
<li>The <strong>applications</strong> of biotechnology include <strong>therapeutics, diagnostics, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unapproved-sowing-of-genetically-modified-crops" target="_blank" rel="noopener">genetically modified crops</a> for agriculture, processed food, bioremediation, waste treatment, and energy production.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1614753495_image%201.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong></strong></a><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1614757119_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1614757119_image3.png" width="800" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Biotechnology Sector of India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Biotechnology sector is recognized as one of the key drivers for contributing to India's USD <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/19-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>5 Trillion economy target by 2024.</strong></a></li>
<li>Policy initiatives of the Government of India (GoI) such as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Make in India</strong></a> program are <strong>aimed to develop <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/making-india-a-biotech-hub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India as a world-class Biotechnology and Bio-manufacturing hub.</a></strong></li>
<li>India is among the <strong>top-12 destinations</strong> for biotechnology in the world, with approximately <strong>3%</strong> <strong>share in the global Biotechnology industry.</strong></li>
<li>Indian <strong>Biotechnology industry's economy was valued at USD 70 billion</strong> in 2020 and is expected to <strong>grow to USD 150 billion by 2025.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biotechnology Parks:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Department of Biotechnology has established<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rajasthan-to-get-its-first-biotechnology-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Biotechnology Parks</strong></a>/Incubators across the country to translate research into products and services by providing necessary infrastructure support.</li>
<li>These Biotechnology Parks offer facilities to Scientists, and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs)</strong></a> for technology incubation, technology demonstration and pilot plant studies for accelerated commercial development of Biotechnology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Draft National Biotech Development Strategy 2020-24:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has called for <strong>more engagement with startups and to leverage the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ppp-investment-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener">public-private partnership</a> (PPP) model</strong> to take the industry to <strong>USD150 billion by 2025.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To build and nurture a vibrant startup, entrepreneurial, and industrial base, connecting academia and industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Focus:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Strengthening and nurturing of a strong basic research and innovation driven ecosystem</strong> across research institutes and laboratories, both public and private sector, with complete engagement of startups, small industry, and large industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1701776" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7794,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Genetically Modified Organisms as Imported Food Crops',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-safety-and-standards-authority-of-india-fssai" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong></a> in a recent order has set 1% threshold for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intentional-genomic-alteration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)</strong></a> in food crops imported into India.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier in August 2020, FSSAI had issued the order that 24 food crops the country imports would need a <strong>&lsquo;non-GM-origin-cum-GM-free certificate&rsquo;</strong> issued by a competent authority.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated</strong> in a laboratory through <strong>genetic engineering.</strong></li>
<li>This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Genetically Modified Crops:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1614402541_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1614402541_image 0.png" width="500" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Conventional plant breeding involves crossing of species of the same genus to provide the offspring with the desired traits of both parents.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Genus is a class of items such as a group of animals or plants with similar traits, qualities or features.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bt-cotton-in-india-problems-and-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bt cotton</strong></a> is the only Genetically Modified (GM) crop that is allowed in India. It has alien genes from the soil bacterium <em>Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)</em> that allows the crop to develop a protein toxic to the common pest <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/maharashtra-to-take-emergency-measures-to-tackle-pink-bollworm-pbw" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pink bollworm.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Herbicide Tolerant Bt (Ht Bt) cotton</strong>, on the other hand is derived with the insertion of an additional gene, from another soil bacterium, which allows the plant to resist the common herbicide glyphosate.</li>
<li>In <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/illegal-cultivation-of-bt-brinjal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bt brinjal</strong></a>, a gene allows the plant to resist attacks of fruit and shoot borers.</li>
<li>In <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/gm-mustard" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DMH-11 mustard</strong></a>, genetic modification allows cross-pollination in a crop that self-pollinates in nature.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legal Position of GM crops in India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/geac-seeks-information-from-bangladesh-on-bt-brinjal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)</strong></a> is the apex body that allows for commercial release of GM crops.</li>
<li>Use of the unapproved GM variant can attract a jail term of 5 years and fine of Rs. 1 lakh under the <strong>Environment Protection Act, 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulation of Imported Crops:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The task of regulating GMO levels in <strong>imported consumables</strong> was <strong>initially with the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).</strong></li>
<li>Its role was diluted with the enactment of the <strong>Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006</strong> and <strong>FSSAI was asked to take over approvals of imported goods.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/fssai-s-gmo-threshold-for-imported-food-crops-unacceptably-high-says-letter-to-health-minister-75675" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7694,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Dickinsonia: Earliest Known Living Animal',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, researchers have discovered three fossils of the earliest known living animal, the<strong> 550-million-year-old &lsquo;Dickinsonia&rsquo;</strong> on the roof of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nilgiri-tribals-tensed-over-destruction-of-rock-art" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bhimbetka Rock Shelters.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The fossils were found in the<strong> roof</strong> of the <strong>Auditorium Cave</strong> at Bhimbetka Rock Shelters.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was believed that <strong>sponges</strong> were the oldest living organism however<strong> there is currently no evidence that sponge-like animals conquered the oceans before 540 million years ago,</strong> when the first unambiguous fossils of sponges and most other groups of animals start to appear in the geological record.</li>
<li>The <strong>earliest evidence for animals on Earth is now the 558 million-years-old Dickinsonia</strong> and other Ediacaran animals.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Dickinsonia:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613386552_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613386552_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Discovery:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-17th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>In September 2018, an international team of researchers claimed to have discovered the world&rsquo;s oldest fossil</strong></a> of Dickinsonia, which first appeared around 571 million to 541 million years ago.</li>
<li>Current fossil evidence dates back around 100 million years from Dickinsonia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Period and Area:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is an <strong>extinct genus of basal animal</strong> that lived during the late Ediacaran period in what is now Australia, Russia and Ukraine.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Basal animals</strong> are animals which have <strong>radial symmetry</strong> in their body plans. They have very <strong>simple bodies</strong> and tend to be <strong>diploblastic</strong> (derived from only two embryonic cell layers).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Appearance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Thought to represent the earliest flowering of <strong>complex multicellular life on our planet,</strong> these creatures arose in a world devoid of predators, and <strong>had no need for hard protective carapaces or skeletons.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Their <strong>soft, squishy bodies</strong> resembled tubes, fronds or even thin, quilted pillows, they bore scant similarity to the anatomy of animals today.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Classification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Its affinities are presently unknown, its mode of growth is consistent with a stem-group bilaterian affinity, though<strong> some have suggested that it belongs to the fungi or even an &ldquo;extinct kingdom&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The discovery of <strong>cholesterol molecules in fossils of Dickinsonia lends support to the idea that Dickinsonia was an animal.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is further proof of the similar<strong> paleoenvironments </strong>and<strong> confirms assembly of Gondwanaland by the 550 Ma (mega annum).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A<strong> paleoenvironment</strong> is simply an environment that has been <strong>preserved in the rock record</strong> at some time in the past.</li>
<li><strong>Mega-annum,</strong> usually abbreviated as Ma, is a <strong>unit of time equal to one million years.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is commonly used in scientific disciplines such as geology, paleontology, and celestial mechanics to signify very long time periods in the past.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This finding could help scientists <strong>better understand the interaction of geology and biology that triggered the evolution</strong> of complex life on Earth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bhimbetka Caves:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>History and Period Span:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an <strong>archaeological site in central India</strong> that spans the prehistoric <strong>Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods,</strong> as well as the historic period.</li>
<li>It exhibits the<strong> earliest traces of human life</strong> in India and<strong> evidence of Stone Age</strong> starting at the site in Acheulian times.</li>
<li>It is a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site</strong></a> that consists of<strong> seven hills and over 750 rock shelters</strong> distributed over 10 km.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Discovery:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bhimbetka rock shelters were found by <strong>V S Wakankar in1957.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is located in <strong>Raisen District</strong> between Hoshangabad and Bhopal<strong> in Madhya Pradesh.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is about <strong>40 kilometres south-east of Bhopal</strong> in the foothills of the Vindhya Mountains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Paintings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of the Bhimbetka rock shelters feature <strong>prehistoric cave paintings</strong> and the earliest are about 10,000 years old (c. 8,000 BCE), corresponding to the Indian Mesolithic.</li>
<li>Most of these are done in <strong>red and white</strong> on the cave walls.</li>
<li>A multitude of themes were covered in this form of rock art and it depicted scenes like<strong> singing, dancing, hunting</strong> and other common activities of the people staying there. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>oldest of the cave paintings in Bhimbetka</strong> is believed to be about <strong>12,000 years ago.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/fossils-of-dickinsonia-found-at-bhimbetka/article33837185.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7686,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'DNA Technology Regulation Bill',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/the-dna-bill-will-cement-a-disturbing-link-between-tech-and-policing-101612965364811.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The DNA bill will cement a disturbing link between tech and policing&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 11/02/2021. It talks about associated issues with the DNA Technology Regulation Bill.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the parliamentary committee on science and technology submitted its report on the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-dna-technology-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019.</strong></a> The purpose of the bill is to regulate the use of DNA information for establishing the identity of people. These profiles are then meant to guide law enforcement agencies in investigations.</p>
<p>The committee has underlined that it is important that state-of-the-art technologies are used in the criminal justice system, but this must be done without infringing constitutional rights, especially the Right to Privacy.</p>
<p>Although DNA technology can help law enforcement agencies, in solving crimes, the government must assuage apprehensions over the use of the DNA Technology Bill, 2019.</p>
<h3>Associated Issues With the Bill</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Violation of Right to Privacy:</strong> There are criticisms that the DNA profiling bill is a violation of human rights as it could also compromise the privacy of the individuals.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, questions are being raised on how the bill plans to safeguard the privacy of DNA profiles stored in the databanks.</li>
<li>The DNA profiling bill follows a long list of bills that are being introduced without the data protection law in place.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complicate Criminal Investigations:</strong> Using DNA effectively during criminal investigations requires proper crime scene examination, trained and reliable policing, a trusted chain of custody of samples, reliable analysis, and proper use of expert evidence in court.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Without these prerequisites, a DNA database will exacerbate rather than solve problems in the criminal justice system.</li>
<li>For example, false matches or misinterpretation or planting of evidence can lead to the travesty of justice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biological Surviallnce:</strong> All DNA footprints at a crime scene might not be of those associated with the incident.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is apprehension, therefore, that the DNA repository proposed by the Bill could end up bundling information of people who have nothing to do with the crime being investigated.</li>
<li>Thus, it may allow state-sanctioned biological surveillance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inadequate Supporting Infrastructure:</strong> The committee has also flagged the concerns over the lack of infrastructure for conducting DNA tests in the country.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Presently, the labs in the country can fulfill only 2-3% of the country&rsquo;s DNA profiling requirement.</li>
<li>In Rajiv Singh v. State of Bihar (2011), the Supreme Court had dismissed improperly analyzed DNA evidence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Affecting Marginalized Sections:</strong> One of the longstanding defects of India&rsquo;s criminal justice system is the lack of legal aid systems to help both victims and accused, especially those from marginalized sections of society.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A growing body of literature has shown that most people charged with criminal offenses are not aware of their rights.</li>
<li>This concern may exacerbate when a sophisticated technology, such as DNA profiling, is deployed to establish a crime.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Misuse In Caste-Based Profiling:</strong> The standing committee pointed out that the DNA profiles can reveal extremely sensitive information of an individual &amp; hence could be misused for caste/community-based profiling.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Giving Priority To Privacy Protection:</strong> The government is bestowed with the responsibility of protecting the citizens&rsquo; privacy. The easiest way to achieve this would be prior adoption of a privacy or Data protection bill, 2019.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would allow individuals some recourse if their rights were not protected.</li>
<li>This is particularly important, especially following the Supreme Court&rsquo;s Right to Privacy judgment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Establishing Independent Regulator:</strong> The Bill&rsquo;s proposed DNA Regulatory Board is still too powerful and insufficiently transparent or accountable.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, consideration should be given to an independent forensic science regulator to ensure oversight of both laboratory quality assurance and crime scene examination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Transparency:</strong> With a new system of indexing DNA profiles of undertrials, criminals, missing and deceased persons, it becomes all the more important to think about the openness of the techniques of DNA profiling.</li>
<li><strong>Addressing Human &amp; Infrastructure Requirements:</strong> The effective and just use of this technology will require educating a range of criminal justice functionaries &mdash; police, lawyers, magistrates.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from this, the infrastructural issues linked with the number of labs need to be addressed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Supreme Court in Malak Singh vs. State of Punjab 1981 verdict held that organized crime cannot be successfully fought without a close watch of suspects. But surveillance cannot infringe the fundamental right to personal liberty.</p>
<p>In this context, there is the need for creating an enabling ecosystem to ensure that such profiling is done according to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fefff5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Organized crime cannot be successfully fought without a close watch of suspects, but surveillance cannot infringe the fundamental right to personal liberty. Analyze the statement in the context of the DNA Technology Regulation Bill,2019.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UIpleWqMfzM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/order-at-the-border-the-hindu-editorial-on-india-china-disengagement-at-the-lac/article33814189.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Order at the border: On disengagement at the LAC&rdquo;</strong></a> published in The Hindu on February 12<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7660,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Arka Shubha: New Marigold Variety',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR)</strong> has developed a new marigold variety named <strong>Arka Shubha.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>High Carotene Content:</strong> Arka Shubha has carotene content of around 2.8% (for all marigolds, it's maximum upto 1.4%) which is the highest among all plant sources.</li>
<li><strong>Used after Spoiled:</strong> This new variety of marigold can be used for extraction of crude carotene even if spoiled after full bloom, unlike that of other varieties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ornamental &amp; Carotene Extraction:</strong> This new variety not only has ornamental purpose but is also a good source of crude carotene.</li>
<li><strong>Poultry Feed:</strong> Its petals could be used as poultry feed to get quality yolk.</li>
<li><strong>Reduce Import Dependency:</strong> India imports most of its carotene from other countries, including China. This development can significantly reduce import dependency. Therefore, both cultivation area and investment on carotene extraction should be increased.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Carotene</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Carotenes are carotenoid pigments that are oxygen-free. Mostly they are unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain only carbon and hydrogen.</li>
<li>Their color varies from yellow to orange to red. The color is attributed to the chain of alternating single and double bonds.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Carotene is responsible for the orange colour of carrots.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>&alpha;-carotene, &beta;-carotene, and lycopene are examples of carotenes.</li>
<li>Carotene is used in the pharmaceutical sector, there is always a high demand for it.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Institute of Horticultural Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Institute of Horticultural Research <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-council-of-agricultural-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)</strong></a> is an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers Welfare.</li>
<li>IIHR has a<strong> main research station at Bengaluru</strong> and regional experiment stations at Bhubaneswar in Orissa and Chettalli in Karnataka with two Krishi Vigyan Kendras.</li>
<li>The institute's main research agenda was to increase the yields of horticultural crop varieties by developing high yielding varieties in fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and medicinal products.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/bengaluru-scientists-develop-new-marigold-variety/article33795721.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source :TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7648,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Hunter Syndrome: MPS II',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Two brothers suffering from<strong> Mucopolysaccharidosis II or MPS II (Hunter Syndrome, Attenuated Type)</strong> have approached the Delhi High Court seeking direction to the Centre and AIIMS to provide them free treatment.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>MPS II is a rare disease</strong> that is passed on in families.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> MPS II mostly <strong>affects boys</strong> and their bodies<strong> cannot break down a kind of sugar </strong>that <strong>builds bones, skin, tendons and other tissues.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cause:</strong> It is <strong>caused by changes (mutations) of the<em> IDS</em> gene</strong> that regulates the production of the iduronate 2-sulfatase (I2S) enzyme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This enzyme is <strong>needed to break-down complex sugars,</strong> known as <strong>glycosaminoglycans (GAGs),</strong> produced in the body.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> Lack of I2S enzyme activity<strong> leads to the accumulation of GAGs within cells,</strong> specifically inside the <strong>lysosomes.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lysosomes are compartments in the cell that <strong>digest and recycle different types of molecules.</strong></li>
<li>Conditions that cause molecules to build up inside the lysosomes, including MPS II, are called <strong>lysosomal storage disorders.</strong></li>
<li>The accumulation of GAGs increases the size of the lysosomes, which is why <strong>many tissues and organs are enlarged in this disorder. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Symptoms:</strong> It is characterized by <strong>distinctive facial features, a large head, enlargement of the liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly),</strong> hearing loss, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Inheritance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>MPS II is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern, which means that this condition occurs almost exclusively in males. <strong>Females are generally unaffected carriers of this condition.</strong></li>
<li>In a family with more than one affected individual, the mother of the affected males must be a carrier. When a carrier female has a child, there is a 25% (1 in 4) chance that she will have an affected son.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rare Diseases</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A rare disease is a <strong>health condition of low prevalence</strong> that affects a small number of people compared with other prevalent diseases in the general population.</li>
<li>Though rare diseases are of low prevalence and individually rare, collectively they <strong>affect a considerable proportion of the population.</strong></li>
<li><strong>80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin</strong> and hence disproportionately impact children.</li>
<li>Recently, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to <strong>finalise the National Health Policy for Rare Diseases of 2020</strong> by March 2021 and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crowdfunding-for-rare-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>make operational provision of crowdfunding</strong></a> envisaged under the law for treatment of high-cost rare diseases.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/hc-asks-govt-aiims-to-facilitate-free-treatment-of-children-with-rare-diseases/article33777103.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7627,
		'category_id' => (int) 28,
		'title' => 'Year End Review: Department of Biotechnology (DBT)',
		'description' => '<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><strong>UNATI Atal Jai Anusandhan Mission Programmes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNATI Atal Jai Anusandhan Mission has been implemented by DBT with a major focus on improved agriculture, affordable healthcare, clean energy and cutting-edge frontier science as per details given below:</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>GARBH-ini (interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research in BirtH outcomes- DBT India Initiative) study</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It aims to discover molecular risk-markers and generate a risk-prediction algorithm for preterm birth which will facilitate timely referral and care for at-risk mothers, thus saving children&rsquo;s lives and reducing morbidity. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This programme has established a unique pregnancy cohort comprising more than 8000 women to study Pre Term Birth (PTB). </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The GARBH-ini platform comprises a bio-repository (Rakshita) of well characterized clinical phenotypes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will focus on development of new antibiotics, alternatives to antibiotics and diagnostics. </li>
<li>To address the rising threat of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/to-the-point-paper-3-antimicrobial-resistance-amr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>antimicrobial resistance (AMR)</strong></a> with a holistic and multi-sectoral (One Health) approach, &ldquo;India&rsquo;s One Health Initiative&rdquo; to combat problems associated with AMR was launched.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Ind-CEPI Mission</strong> </p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an India centric collaborative mission of DBT aligned to the global initiatives of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/thsti-part-of-vaccine-assessment-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CEPI (Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)</strong></a>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>DBT is supporting the implementation of the Ind-CEPIs mission &ldquo;Epidemic preparedness through rapid vaccine development.</li>
<li>Support of Indian vaccine development is aligned with the global initiative of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)&rdquo;, at BIRAC, PSU of DBT.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>UNATI Mission</strong> </p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Clean Technologies for Swachh Bharat:</strong> DBT has developed various technology platforms designed to convert different solid, liquid and gaseous wastes into renewable fuels, energy and useful products such as food, feed, polymers and chemicals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the UNATI Mission, 10 promising clean technologies have been identified for demonstration with DBT support at different sites across India, in collaboration with local stakeholders such as municipalities and other urban local bodies. </li>
<li>The identified technologies include<strong> bio-methanation, constructed wetland, bio-toilets, chemical &amp; membrane free water purification</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Mission COVID Suraksha</strong> </p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-covid-suraksha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mission COVID Suraksha</strong></a> is India&rsquo;s targeted effort to enable the development of indigenous, affordable and accessible vaccines for the country and will complement the ongoing mission of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Partnerships for Accelerating Clinical Trials (PACT)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>PACT (Partnerships for Accelerating Clinical Trials)</strong> programme has been launched for supporting COVID-19 vaccine development activities in partnering countries. </li>
<li>The initiative is being implemented by<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/making-india-a-biotech-hub" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)</strong> </a>and Clinical Development Services Agency (CDSA) under the aegis of the National Biopharma Mission and Ind-CEPI Mission of DBT.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Biopharma Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the first ever Industry-Academia mission &ldquo;Industry-Academia Collaboration <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-biopharma-mission#:~:text=The%20National%20Biopharma%20Mission%20(NBM,funded%20by%20World%20Bank%20loan." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Biopharma mission</strong></a>. The mission aims for Accelerating Discovery Research to Early Development for Biopharmaceuticals.</li>
<li>&ldquo;Innovate in India (i3) Empowering biotech entrepreneurs &amp; accelerating inclusive innovation &ldquo; to accelerate biopharmaceutical development in India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders (UMMID) Initiative</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Department launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ummid-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;UMMID&rsquo; initiative</strong></a> to tackle inherited genetic diseases in newborns.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612594025_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612594025_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Pan India Genome India</strong> </p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genome-india-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genome India</strong></a> was initiated for cataloguing the genetic variation in Indian population with a goal for whole genome sequencing and subsequent data analysis of 10,000 individuals representing the country&rsquo;s diverse population to help build an exhaustive catalogue of genetic variations in Indian population, and to aid in the design of a genome wide association chip for Indian population.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>LOTUS HR Project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-netherlands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LOTUS HR project</a>:</strong> In collaboration with Netherlands, a toolbox of wastewater treatment technologies has been established on site at Barapullah drain to facilitate selection of treatment combinations for optimum treatment of wastewater.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Bioresource Information Network (IBIN)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was created to bring together all the available databases and information on the bio-resources and biodiversity of the country in one platform. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>satellite telemetry tracking of Jacobin Cuckoo</strong> is a part of IBIN project in collaboration with Wildlife Institute of India to monitor the changes in Indian monsoon patterns and could help in planning the conservation and climate monitoring programmes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established by DBT for deposition, storage, annotation and sharing of biological data generated in the country through extensive funding from various Government Organizations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The IBDC will enable life science researchers to deposit biological data in a central repository and thus safeguard data generated using public resources from loss. It will perform quality control, curation, and annotation of data. </li>
<li>These efforts will help establish benchmarks for the quality of data deposited and thus improve the quality of experimental research conducted in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612594052_image%203.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612594052_image 3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>GenoVault</strong> </p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GenoVault (Cloud based Genomics Repository) was launched in the Accelerating Biology 2020. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This cloud-based genomic repository enables quick archival and retrieval tools along with extremely powerful analytical engines. </li>
<li>GenoVault is a first India&rsquo;s Genomics Repository based on OpenStack cloud. This centralized repository would be of enormous importance for healthcare and would have great use in personalized medicine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bio-liposome mediated CRISPR-Cas9 delivery system</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A novel bio-inspired lipid nanocarrier system for efficient intracellular delivery of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/crispr-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CRISPR-Cas9</strong> </a>based genome editing tools has been developed. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The development of bio-inspired lipid nanocarrier delivery systems would open new vistas for devising novel gene therapy-based therapeutic solutions for various rare and genetic diseases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Biotech-KISAN</strong> </p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/biotech-kisan-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biotech-KISAN</strong></a> has created a platform in each of <strong>15 agro-climatic zones of the country,</strong> which aims to connect farmers and scientists to promote Agriculture Innovation and take the new interventions to the farmers and farms.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>International Cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The department of biotechnology has strengthened its partnership with the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS), UK to launch the AMS-DBT Newton International Fellowship (NIF). </li>
<li>Focusing on the threat of climate change, the department collaborated with European Union for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eu-green-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Green Deal&rdquo;</strong> </a>under the <strong>Horizon 2020 framework</strong> to help build a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Biotechnology Industry Research Assistant Council (BIRAC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BIRAC launched i4 (Intensifying the Impact of Industrial Innovation) to support biotechnological product/technology development by strengthening R&amp;D capabilities of start-ups/companies/LLPs. The programme provides impetus for pulling the translational ideas past PoC and taking them further along the innovation chain for validation, scale-up, demonstration and pre-commercialization of products and technologies.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Wheat Straw Polysaccharide</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>DBT-National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (DBT-NABI)</strong> has developed a <strong>wheat straw polysaccharide</strong> derived novel edible coating formulation to prevent the <strong>post-harvest shelf-life</strong> of perishable fruit crops such as Apple, Peach and Banana. </li>
<li>In addition to that,<strong> antibody assisted graphene oxide coated gold nanoparticles</strong> for rapid bacterial detection and near infrared light enhanced antibacterial activity has been developed which detects food borne pathogens.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>DBT-National Brain Research Institute (DBT-NBRC) Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/japanese-encephalitis-je" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV)</strong></a> infection was found to induce classical activation (M1) of microglia that drives the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while suppressing alternative activation (M2) that could serve to dampen the inflammatory response, thereby inducing inflammatory response, microglial activation, and neuronal apoptosis.</li>
<li>&lsquo;DALI&rsquo; a tool in Indian languages for dyslexia assessment in children developed at NBRC remains in high demand and is being increasingly adopted countrywide.</li>
<li><strong>BRAHMA and ANSH:</strong> NBRC scientists have developed specialized tools named BRAHMA and ANSH for integrating inputs from neuroimaging data and the clinical information to help in diagnosis of various brain diseases such as Alzheimer&rsquo;s and Parkinson&rsquo;s. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The tool is standardized on a robust Indian brain template that is representative of the Indian population-specific brain anatomy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Further Reading</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biotechnology-and-its-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biotechnology and its Applications</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bradykinin-storm-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bradykinin Storm</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-specific-memory-t-cells" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 Specific Memory T Cells</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-seeds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genetically Modified Seeds</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/microrna" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>microRNA</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bbx11-gene-greening-of-plants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BBX11 Gene</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intentional-genomic-alteration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intentional Genomic Alteration</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-cancer-genome-atlas-2020-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cancer Genome Atlas</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/saviour-sibling" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Saviour Sibling</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/production-of-saffron-and-heeng-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Himalayan Bioresources Mission</strong></a></li>
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7617,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Concerns Over DNA Bill, 2019',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/parliamentary-committee-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Parliamentary Standing Committee</strong></a> on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change has recommended that the <strong>government should address the concerns raised</strong> over the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dna-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019,</strong></a> including over creation of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/concerns-over-dna-technology-regulation-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>national databank</strong></a> of crime scene DNA profiles and fears of communities being targeted.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>While the Bill speaks of regional databanks apart from a central one, the Parliamentary <strong>Standing Committee strongly recommends only one National Data Bank,</strong> to minimise chances of misuse of data.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 (Key Provisions):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill allows the use of the technology to establish the identity of persons in matters of crime, parentage dispute, <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper1/human-migration-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">emigration or immigration</a></strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/organ-donation-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>transplantation of human organs</strong></a>.</li>
<li>It provides for <strong>establishment of national and regional DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) data banks</strong> and each databank will maintain <strong>crime scene index, suspects&rsquo; or undertrials&rsquo; index</strong> <strong>and offenders&rsquo; index</strong> separately.</li>
<li>The Bill talks of a <strong>DNA Regulatory Board</strong> that would advise the Centre and state governments on issues such as setting up of DNA laboratories and databanks; and laying down of guidelines, standards and procedures for the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns Raised by the Committee:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Over DNA Databanks:</strong> The risk with a national databank of crime scene DNA profiles is that it <strong>will likely include virtually everyone since DNA is left at the 'crime scene' before and after the crime by several persons</strong> who may have nothing to do with the crime being investigated.</li>
<li><strong>Over DNA Profiling:</strong> The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-dna-technology-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DNA profiling</strong></a> to be done under this Bill <strong>can be misused to target different segments of the society</strong> based on factors like religion, caste or political views.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>DNA profiling is the process where a specific DNA pattern, called a profile, is obtained from a person or sample of bodily tissue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Storage of DNA Profiles of Unconvicted Persons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill proposes to store DNA profiles of suspects, undertrials, victims and their relatives for future investigations.</li>
<li>The Bill also provides that DNA profiles for civil matters will also be stored in the data banks, but without a clear and separate index.</li>
<li>The committee has questioned the necessity for storage of such DNA profiles, pointing out that this violates the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privacy-judgement-and-the-aftermath" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fundamental right to privacy</strong></a> and does not serve any public purpose.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Perfunctory Consent:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill refers to consent in several provisions, but in each of those, <strong>a magistrate can easily override consent,</strong> thereby in effect, making consent perfunctory.</li>
<li>There is also no guidance in the Bill on the grounds and reasons of when the magistrate can override consent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Absence of Robust Data Protections:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has <strong>questioned the security of a huge number of DNA profiles</strong> that will be placed with the National DNA Data bank.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need of the Bill:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Greater Demand for Testing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>DNA testing is currently being done on an extremely limited scale in India, with approximately 30-40 DNA experts in 15-18 laboratories undertaking less than 3,000 cases per year, which represent 2-3% of the total need.</li>
<li>The standards of the DNA testing laboratories are not monitored or regulated, in absence of any proper regulation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enables Identification of Missing Persons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crime-in-india-ncrb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Crime Records Bureau</strong></a>, annually 1,00,000 children go missing.</li>
<li>The Bill will also help in identifying unidentified deceased, including disaster victims and apprehend repeat offenders for heinous crimes such as rape and murder.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Scenario Regarding DNA Profiling:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <strong>USA Interpol&rsquo;s Global DNA Profiling Survey Results 2016,</strong> as many as 69 countries have a national DNA database, including the USA, Canada and China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The countries hold genetic information of at least 35,413,155 individuals.</strong></li>
<li>Different countries have different regulations for collection, removal and retention of DNA samples.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Declaration on Human Genetic Data,</strong> which was adopted unanimously at <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNESCO's</a></strong> 32<sup>nd</sup> General Conference in 2003, aims to ensure the respect of human dignity and protection of human rights and fundamental freedom in collection, processing, use and storage of human genetic data and biological samples.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>DNA Profiling and Genome India Project (GIP):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology also approved an ambitious gene-mapping project called the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/genome-india-project-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genome India Project (GIP)</strong></a> which aims to sample and sequence 10,000 genomes in the first phase from across India, to arrive at a representative Indian genome.</li>
<li><strong>Gene Mapping</strong> is different from DNA profiling as DNA profiling <strong>uses small stretches of DNA</strong> to identify an individual while gene mapping involves sequencing the whole genome.</li>
<li>Gene Mapping is done for scientific and medical uses while DNA profiling is done primarily for forensic and criminal investigation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Committee recommends an <strong>enabling ecosystem must be created</strong> soon to ensure that DNA profiling is done in a manner that is fully consistent with the letter and spirit of various Supreme Court judgments and with the Constitution.</li>
<li>Prior adoption of a privacy or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/personal-data-protection-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>data protection bill</strong></a> would allow individuals some recourse if their rights were not protected.This is particularly important, especially following the Supreme Court&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privacy-judgement-and-the-aftermath" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right to Privacy</strong></a> judgment.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dna-bill-parliament-7173639/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7485,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Rapid Blood Test to Predict Covid-19 Disease Severity',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Scientists at <strong>Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis</strong> (WUSTL) have published a paper showing that<strong> a relatively simple and rapid blood test</strong> can <strong>predict which <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> patients are at highest risk of severe complications</strong> or death.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Blood Test:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>measures levels of mitochondrial DNA,</strong> a unique type of DNA molecule that normally resides inside the energy factories of cells.</li>
<li>Mitochondrial DNA spilling out of cells and into the bloodstream is<strong> a sign that a particular type of violent cell death</strong> is taking place in the body.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Study Conducted:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The team<strong> evaluated 97 patients with Covid-19,</strong> measuring their mitochondrial DNA levels on the first day of their hospital stay.</li>
<li>They found that <strong>mitochondrial DNA levels were much higher in patients who eventually were admitted to the ICU,</strong> incubated or died. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This association was<strong> independent of a patient's age, sex and underlying health conditions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The test<strong> could serve as a way to predict disease severity</strong> as well as a tool to <strong>better design clinical trials,</strong> identifying patients who might, for example, benefit from specific investigational treatments.</li>
<li>The test <strong>could serve as a way to monitor the effectiveness of new therapies.</strong> Presumably, effective treatments would lower mitochondrial DNA levels.</li>
<li>Further, the test <strong>predicted outcomes as well as or better than existing markers of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-cytokine-storms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inflammation</a></strong> currently measured in Covid patients. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Most other markers of inflammation measured in patients with Covid-19, including those still under investigation, are <strong>general markers of systemic inflammation, rather than inflammation specific to cell death.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Inflammation is the body&rsquo;s innate response to injury or infection</strong> (including trauma, surgery, burns, and cancer). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Certain proteins are released into the bloodstream during inflammation; if their concentrations increase or decrease by at least 25%, they can be used as systemic inflammatory markers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Mitochondrial DNA</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>small circular chromosome found inside mitochondria.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The mitochondria are <strong>organelles found in cells that are the sites of energy production.</strong> They <strong>produce cellular energy</strong> in the form of <strong>adenosine triphosphate (ATP),</strong> hence they are called<strong> &lsquo;power houses&rsquo;</strong> of the cell. The mitochondria <strong>divide by fission.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is<strong> different in a way from the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-dna-technology-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)</a> that's in the nucleus.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mitochondrial DNA is<strong> small and circular.</strong> It has <strong>only 16,500 or so base pairs</strong> in it. It encodes different proteins that are specific for the mitochondrial.</li>
<li>The <strong>nuclear genome is linear</strong> and is made of <strong>3.3 billion DNA base pairs.</strong></li>
<li>The mitochondrial genome is not enveloped, and it is <strong>not packaged</strong> into chromatin.</li>
<li>Mitochondrial DNA, unlike nuclear DNA, is inherited from the mother, while nuclear DNA is inherited from both parents.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If there's a<strong> defect in some of those mitochondrial DNA bases,</strong> that is to say a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mutated-novel-coronavirus#:~:text=A%20mutation%20means%20a%20change,virus%20that%20causes%20Covid%2D19." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>mutation</strong></a>, one will have a<strong> mitochondrial disease,</strong> which will involve the inability to produce sufficient energy in things like the muscle and the brain, and the kidney.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/rapid-blood-test-predicts-which-covid-patients-will-develop-severe-disease-7150526/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7307,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'BBX11 Gene: Greening of Plants',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)</strong> has recognized the<strong> BBX11 gene</strong> that facilitates the greening of crops.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About BBX11 Gene:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The researchers discovered a mechanism where two proteins oppositely regulate the <strong>BBX11</strong> gene to maintain optimum ranges of <strong>BBX11.</strong></li>
<li><strong>BBX11</strong> plays a vital role in regulation of the amount of<strong> protochlorophyllide</strong> synthesized by the plant.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Protochlorophyllide</strong> is an intermediate in the synthesis of chlorophyll.</li>
<li>If it is<strong> less,</strong> plants are<strong> unable</strong> to <strong>efficiently green in order to harvest sunlight</strong> and if the amount of <strong>protochlorophyllide</strong> is more, then <strong>photobleaching occurs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Photobleaching </strong>is<strong> loss of colour</strong> by a pigment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The quantity of <strong>protochlorophyllide</strong> synthesised needs to be <strong>proportional</strong> to the<strong> variety of enzymes</strong> available to transform them to chlorophyll.</li>
<li>It is very<strong> important to regulate the amount of protochlorophyllide</strong> synthesized by the plant.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Synthesis of Chlorophyll:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Chlorophyll</strong> is the <strong>green pigment in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria</strong> that <strong>absorbs sunlight</strong> and uses its energy to <strong>synthesise carbohydrates from Carbon-di-Oxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and water.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The synthesis of chlorophyll in plants is a<strong> lengthy, multi-step process.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>When a seedling emerges from under the soil<strong> it must quickly synthesise chlorophyll to start supporting its own growth.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In order to facilitate quick synthesis of chlorophyll, plants make a precursor of chlorophyll called <strong>&lsquo;protochlorophyllide&rsquo;</strong> in the dark, which<strong> glows red in blue light.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As soon as the plant comes out into the light from under the soil, light-dependent enzymes convert <strong>protochlorophyllide to chlorophyll.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This discovery has<strong> many implications within the agriculture sector in tropical nations like India</strong> and can <strong>assist present results in optimising plant progress</strong> in frequently <a href="/pdf/1579547359-monsoon-2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>changing weather conditions.</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Due to the quickly altering weather conditions,<strong> farmers in a number of states in India, particularly in Maharashtra, are struggling with large losses in crop yields.</strong></li>
<li>This often leads to <strong>severe distress among the farming community as indicated by the high number of<a href="/printpdf/doubling-farmers-income-a-promise-to-be-fulfilled-by-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> farmer suicides</a></strong> in Maharashtra for the past several years.</li>
<li><strong>Major Reasons for Crop Failure:</strong> Severe<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-day-to-combat-desertification-and-drought" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> drought</strong></a>, high temperature and high light.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Young seedlings emerging out of the soil are extremely sensitive to high irradiance of light. This study can<strong> provide leads to optimise plant growth under these stressful conditions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Photosynthesis</strong><strong></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608971582_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608971582_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Photosynthesis is the process by which <strong>green plants and certain other organisms transform light energy into chemical energy.</strong></li>
<li>During photosynthesis in green plants, <strong>light energy is captured and used to convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608971436_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Factors Affecting Photosynthesis:</strong> Photosynthesis is under the influence of several factors, both<strong> internal (plant) and external.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Internal:</strong> Number, size, age and orientation of leaves, mesophyll cells and chloroplasts, internal CO<sub>2</sub> concentration and the amount of chlorophyll.</li>
<li><strong>External:</strong> Availability of sunlight, temperature, CO<sub>2</sub> concentration and water.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, despite the presence of a green leaf and optimal light and CO<sub>2</sub> conditions, the plant may not photosynthesise if the temperature is very low.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It would be impossible to overestimate the importance of photosynthesis in the <strong>maintenance of life on Earth.</strong></li>
<li>If <strong>photosynthesis ceased,</strong> there would soon be <strong>little food or other organic matter on Earth. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Most organisms would disappear,</strong> and in time<strong> Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere would become nearly devoid of gaseous oxygen.</strong></li>
<li>Energy produced by photosynthesis carried out by plants millions of years ago is responsible for the <strong>fossil fuels (i.e., coal, oil, and gas) that power industrial society.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/states/iiser-scientists-identify-the-gene-that-greens-plants/article33420460.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7266,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Intentional Genomic Alteration',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)</strong> approved a<strong> first-of-its-kind Intentional Genomic Alteration (IGA)</strong> in a line of domestic pigs referred to as <strong>GalSafe pigs.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This will be the<strong> first time</strong> that the regulator has approved an <strong>animal biotechnology product for both food and biomedical purposes.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Intentional Genomic Alteration (IGA):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IGA in animals means <strong>making specific changes to the genome of the organism using modern molecular technologies</strong> that are popularly referred to as<a href="/printpdf/worlds-first-gene-edited-babies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;genome editing&rdquo; or &ldquo;genetic engineering&rdquo;.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Genome editing</strong> is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism's <strong>Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA).</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>DNA</strong> is the chemical name for the molecule that <strong>carries genetic instructions in all living things.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The DNA molecule consists of two strands that wind around one another to form a shape known as a <strong>double helix.</strong></li>
<li>Each strand has a backbone made of <strong>alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These technologies allow genetic material to be <strong>added, removed, or altered at particular locations</strong> in the genome.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One such technology is <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chinas-gene-editing-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)</strong></a>, which replicates natural defence mechanisms in bacteria to fight virus attacks, using a <strong>special protein called Cas9.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Emmanuelle Charpentier</strong> of France and <strong>Jennifer A Doudna</strong> of the USA have been awarded the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-for-chemistry-2020#:~:text=Recently%2C%20Emmanuelle%20Charpentier%20of%20France,to%20a%20women%2Donly%20team." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry</strong></a> for developing CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)</strong> is an animal, plant, or microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An IGA is inserted into an animal to<strong> change or alter its structure and function.</strong></li>
<li>The difference between an animal with an IGA and one that does not have an IGA is that the IGA <strong>gives them a new trait or characteristic, such as faster growth or resistance to certain diseases.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of IGA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Changes in the<strong> DNA</strong> sequence of an animal may be carried out<strong> for research purposes, to produce healthier meat</strong> for human consumption and<strong> to study disease resistance</strong> in animals, among other reasons.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>One example</strong> is of using IGAs to make an <strong>animal more susceptible to certain diseases such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cancer-care-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cancer</a></strong>, which helps researchers <strong>get a better understanding of the disease and develop new therapies</strong> to treat it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>FDA&rsquo;s Approval:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FDA allowed IGA in GalSafe pigs to <strong>eliminate a type of sugar found in mammals called alpha-gal.</strong></li>
<li>GalSafe pigs may potentially be used to produce human medical products, IGA will help eventually free these products from detectable alpha-gal sugar, thereby <strong>protecting their human consumers from potential allergies.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sugar is present on the surface of GalSafe pigs&rsquo; cells and when they are <strong>used for products such as medicines or food</strong> (the sugar is found in red meats such as beef, pork and lamb), the <strong>sugar makes some people with Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) more susceptible to developing mild to severe allergic reactions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Legislation in India Related to Genetically Modified Organisms</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and the products thereof are regulated under the <strong>Rules for the manufacture, use, import, export &amp; storage of hazardous microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms or cells, 1989</strong> (referred to as Rules, 1989) notified under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1#:~:text=On%2027%20January%201994%2C%20the,Schedule%201%20of%20the%20notification." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong></a></li>
<li>The<strong> Rules, 1989</strong> are supported by a series of guidelines on contained research, biologics, confined field trials, food safety assessment, environmental risk assessment etc.</li>
<li>These rules are very broad in scope essentially <strong>covering the entire spectrum of activities involving GMOs and products thereof.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They also<strong> apply to any substances, products, and food stuffs, etc.</strong></li>
<li><strong>New gene technologies apart from genetic engineering</strong> have also been included.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Rules, 1989 are implemented by the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)</strong> jointly with the<strong> Department of Biotechnology (DBT),</strong> Ministry of Science &amp; Technology and <strong>state governments.</strong></li>
<li>Six Competent Authorities and their composition have been notified under these Rules that include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>rDNA Advisory Committee (RDAC)</li>
<li>Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC)</li>
<li>Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM)</li>
<li>Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)</li>
<li>State Biotechnology Coordination committee (SBCC)</li>
<li>District Level Committee (DLC)<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While the RDAC is advisory in function, the IBSC, RCGM, and GEAC are responsible for regulating function. SBCC and DLC are for monitoring purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Initiatives Related to GMOs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indian GMO Research Information System</strong> : It is a database on activities involving the use of GMOs and products thereof in India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The primary purpose of this website is to make available objective and realistic scientific information relating to GMOs and products thereof under research and commercial use to all stakeholders including scientists, regulators, industry and the public in general. It is also expected to promote collaborations and avoid duplication of work.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bt cotton</strong> is the only <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-seeds#:~:text=Bt%20cotton%20is%20the%20only,the%20common%20pest%20pink%20bollworm." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genetically Modified (GM) crop</strong></a> that is allowed in India. It has alien genes from the soil bacterium <em>Bacillus thuringiensis</em> (Bt) that allows the crop to develop a protein toxic to the common pest pink bollworm.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is also a signatory of <a href="/printpdf/invasive-weeds-threatening-tiger-habitats" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety</strong> </a>which seeks to<strong> protect biological diversity</strong> from the potential risks posed by <strong>Living Modified Organisms</strong> resulting from modern biotechnology.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-fda-nod-for-genetically-modified-pigs-means-7110376/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7140,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'The Cancer Genome Atlas 2020 Conference',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Minister of Science and Technology</strong> has virtually inaugurated the<strong> 2<sup>nd</sup> TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) 2020 Conference </strong>in <strong>New Delhi.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Conference brings together scientists and clinicians from across the globe to build <strong>Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to create indigenous, open-source and comprehensive <strong>database of molecular profiles of all <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-cancer-awareness-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cancers</a> prevalent in Indian population.</strong></li>
<li>Diverse molecular mechanisms including <strong>genetic and lifestyle factors contribute to cancer,</strong> posing significant challenges to treatment.</li>
<li>Therefore, it is necessary to better understand the <strong>underlying factors</strong> patient by patient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About TCGA:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a landmark<strong> cancer genomics program</strong> that molecularly characterized over 20,000 primary cancer and matched normal samples spanning 33 cancer types. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Genomics aims to<strong> sequence, assemble, and analyse</strong> the structure and function of <strong>genomes.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/genome-india-project-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genome</strong></a> is<strong> all genetic material of an organism.</strong> It consists of DNA (or RNA in RNA viruses).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>TCGA is a joint <strong>effort of</strong> the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which are both part of the National Institutes of Health,<strong> U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.</strong> It was <strong>started in 2006.</strong></li>
<li>TCGA generated a huge amount of genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Transcriptomics technologies are the techniques used to <strong>study an organism's transcriptome,</strong> the sum of all of its RNA transcripts.</li>
<li>A Proteome is a<strong> set of proteins</strong> produced in an organism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This data has led to improvements in the ability to <strong>diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer.</strong></li>
<li>On similar lines, the establishment of an<strong> &lsquo;Indian Cancer Genomics Atlas (ICGA)&rsquo;</strong> has been initiated by a consortium of key stakeholders in India led by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research</strong></a>, Government of India in which several government agencies, cancer hospitals, academic institutions and private sector are partners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Similar Missions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/genome-india-project-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genome India:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Its aim is to ultimately build a grid of the Indian <strong>&ldquo;reference genome&rdquo;,</strong> to fully understand the <strong>type and nature of diseases and traits that comprise the diverse Indian population.</strong></li>
<li>The mega project hopes to form a grid after collecting<strong> 10,000 samples in the first phase from across India,</strong> to arrive at a <strong>representative Indian genome.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>IndiGen Genome Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The initiative was implemented by the <strong>CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi </strong>and <strong>CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad.</strong></li>
<li>The IndiGen programme aims to undertake <strong>whole genome sequencing of thousands of individuals representing diverse ethnic groups from India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cancer</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>large group of diseases</strong> that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs. The latter process is called <strong>metastasizing</strong> and is a major cause of death from cancer.</li>
<li>A neoplasm and malignant tumor are <strong>other common names</strong> for cancer.</li>
<li>Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the <strong>most common types of cancer in men,</strong> while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the <strong>most common among women.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Government Initiative: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/non-communicable-diseases-in-india#:~:text=National%20Programme%20for%20Prevention%20and,National%20Health%20Mission%20(NHM).&amp;text=The%20initiative%20will%20help%20in,on%20risk%20factors%20of%20NCDs." target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS)</a></strong> is being implemented under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Mission (NHM)</strong> </a>for up-to the district level activities.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1678450" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7054,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Making India A Biotech Hub',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/making-of-a-biotech-hub-7059035/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Making of a biotech hub&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 20/11/2020. It talks about how India can play the lead role in a global biotech ecosystem.</p>
</div>
<p>Over the last few decades, India has made huge strides to emerge as one of the medical hubs in the world. The country has seen an immense improvement in the number and quality of its healthcare facilities, reduction in pregnancy-related deaths, improvement in sanitation and immunisation coverage and has successfully averted several preventable disease epidemics.</p>
<p>Continuing on this trend, be it on attaining self-sufficiency in PPE kits or leading global effort in the development of a potent vaccine, India has carried out a robust response to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a></p>
<p>Moreover, the pandemic has provided an opportunity for India to play the lead role in a global biotech ecosystem. By leveraging existing strengths in the medical sector, India can enter the next stage, from being the pharmacy of the world to being the biotech hub in the world.</p>
<h3>Potential of Biotechnology</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Recognising the Potential:</strong> In 1986, much before any other country in the world, the Government of India recognised the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/biotechnology-sector-in-india#:~:text=India%20is%20among%20the%20first,the%20biotechnology%20sector%20in%201986." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>enormous potential of biotechnology</strong></a> and established a separate department committed to this branch of science.</li>
<li><strong>Multi-Faceted Domain:</strong> Biotechnology is a multi-faceted domain encompassing <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biotechnology-and-its-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>applications in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, scientific discoveries, etc</strong></a>. The biotech sector can be broadly divided into five major segments:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Biopharma</li>
<li>Bio-agriculture</li>
<li>Bio-services</li>
<li>Bio-industrial Applications</li>
<li>Bioinformatic</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Economic Status:</strong> Currently, India accounts for approximately 3% of the global biotech industry. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The biotechnology sector in India has grown from $1.1 billion in 2003 to a mammoth <strong>$64 billion sector in 2019</strong> and by 2024, it is expected to be a $100 billion industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Growing Biotech Start-ups:</strong> India&rsquo;s pioneering achievements in biotechnology is the primary reason why the sector employs the best of minds and contributes to the development of generic and affordable medicare.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, there are over 2,700 biotech start-ups and are expected to touch the 10,000-mark by 2024.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of BIRAC:</strong> Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), established under the Department of Biotechnology in 2012, continues to play a crucial role in the development of the biotech sector in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BIRAC brings innovators and funders on to a common table, enabling ideas to become a reality and facilitate technological advances that make human progress possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government Initiatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Make in India, Skill India, Start-up India programmes are aimed to develop India as a world-class biotechnology and bio-manufacturing hub.</li>
<li>The government&rsquo;s aspirational goal of developing the country into a $100-billion biomanufacturing hub by 2024 is certainly going to give a fillip to the biotechnology sector as well.</li>
<li>Biotech has been recognised as the sunrise sector among 14 champion sectors under the &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; programme which has the potential to contribute to the $5-trillion economy goal of India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Structural Issues:</strong> Considering that manufacturing in the biopharma sector is capital intensive, such investments have been suboptimal in India due to limited access to capital, inadequate infrastructure and complex and ever-evolving regulatory framework.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As Biotechnology products and solutions often require ethical and regulatory clearance, making the process long, expensive and cumbersome.</li>
<li>Further, low remuneration of scientists (compared to the developed economies) and a few institutional research bases have not helped create more jobs in biotechnology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Heavily Public Sector Dominated:</strong> Compared to the developed economies (the United States), biotechnology research in India is mainly funded by the public exchequer.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unless the private sector starts supporting applied research and engages with academic institutions, the innovation in applied and translational biotechnology will be minimal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Innovation:</strong> In terms of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology creation, the biotechnology sector requires years of experience in the domain, access to labs with sophisticated instruments, sustained and long-term funding to innovate.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, India has not done well enough in improving innovation culture.</li>
<li>India is currently ranked at 52nd on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-innovation-index-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Innovation Index (GII) 2019</strong></a>, with a jump of five places since last year, and 29 places in the past five years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need for Active Government Support:</strong> Some of the opportunities to enhance growth and innovation within the biotechnology sector in India are: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government policies to attract global talent.</li>
<li>Government investment in new areas, eg. new vaccines for human and veterinary use, biosimilars.</li>
<li>Enforcement of strong IP regime in India.</li>
<li>Faster regulatory approvals; transparent and consistent drug approval process</li>
<li>Building legal and institutional infrastructure for conducting clinical trials in India.</li>
<li>The adequate reward for innovation.</li>
<li>Promotion of private sector investment to substitute imports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Favourable Industrial Location:</strong> The favourable location of the biotech hubs will depend on critical factors like research and technology development competence, market, industry policies, infrastructure, investments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Setting up the integrated biotech hubs will facilitate Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), build the confidence of investors, enhance Indian export potential for quality products, boost in-house capacity towards import substitution, and nurture and support innovations to generate more IP for India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Biotechnology occupies a strategic position in the socio-economic advancement and development of the nation and the world at large. It provides an answer to various current and future challenges not only for India but the entire world.</p>
<p>In this context, India should leverage the never before seen collective ownership for a global crisis presented by Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdfa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>By leveraging existing strengths in the medical sector, India can enter the next stage, from being the pharmacy of the world to being the biotech hub in the world. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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	(int) 19 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6770,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'World Food Day',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-food-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Food Day</strong></a> is celebrated to commemorate the establishment of the United Nation's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food and Agriculture Organisation</strong></a> (FAO) on<strong> 16<sup>th</sup> October 1945.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Prime Minister of India released a <strong>commemorative coin of Rs. 75 denomination</strong> to mark the<strong> 75<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of the FAO.</strong></li>
<li>FAO is a <strong>specialised agency of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a></strong> that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About World Food Day:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is observed <strong>annually on 16<sup>th</sup> October</strong> to address the problem of global hunger.</li>
<li>It emphasises on the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal 2</strong></a> (SDG 2) i.e. <strong>Zero Hunger.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Theme for 2020:</strong> &ldquo;Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together.&rdquo;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There has been a renewed focus on food, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-nutrition-problem" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nutrition</strong></a>, health, immunity and sustainability due to the unprecedented challenges posed by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 </strong></a><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>75<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of FAO:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over the years, FAO has <strong>helped to increase agricultural production and eradicate hunger all over the world,</strong> including India and has played an important role in increasing nutrition.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-for-peace-2020#:~:text=The%202020%20Nobel%20Peace%20Prize,weapon%20of%20war%20and%20conflict." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2020's Nobel Peace Prize</strong> </a>to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/food-crisis-amid-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Food Programme</strong></a> is also a major achievement for the FAO as the programme was started by FAO.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Context:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FAO has closely watched <strong>India's fight against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">malnutrition</a></strong> in the past decades but its scope had many constraints.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Due to reasons such as</strong> pregnancy at a young age, lack of education and information, inadequate access to drinking water, lack of cleanliness, etc. <strong>India is lagging behind in achieving the expected results</strong> of <strong>&ldquo;malnutrition free India&rdquo;</strong> by <strong>2022,</strong> envisaged under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/challenges-in-national-nutrition-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Nutrition Mission</strong></a> (POSHAN Abhiyaan).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>FAO <strong>supported India's proposal to declare 2023</strong> as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/2023-is-the-international-year-of-millets-fao" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Year of Millets.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The move will <strong>encourage intake of nutritious food, increase their availability</strong> further and <strong>benefit small and medium farmers</strong> who mostly grow coarse grains on their land where there is a problem of water and the land is not so fertile.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Highlighted Indian Initiatives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/food-safety-mitra-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eat Right India</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fit-india-movement#:~:text=The%20Prime%20Minister%20on%20the,player%20Major%20Dhyan%20Chand%20Singh." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fit India Movement</strong></a> along with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Swachh%20Bharat%20Mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swachh Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-jeevan-mission-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jal Jeevan Mission</strong></a> and other efforts will improve the health of Indians and heal the environment.</li>
<li><strong>Introduction of 17 new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/an-innovative-method-for-boosting-nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">biofortified varieties</a> of crops</strong> to overcome the shortcomings of the common variety of crops which lacks important micronutrients.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Example: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/macs-4028-wheat-variety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MACS 4028 Wheat</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/madhuban-gajar-biofortified-variety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Madhuban Gajar</strong></a>, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased ambit and effective implementation</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inclusion-of-the-disabled-in-national-food-security-act-2013" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Security Act, 2013.</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agricultural-sector-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Amendments</strong> </a>to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agricultural-marketing-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>APMC (agricultural produce market committee) Acts</strong> </a>to make them more competitive.</li>
<li>Steps to ensure that farmers get one and a half times the cost as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minimum Support Price</strong></a> (MSP), which along with the government procurement, is an important part of ensuring the country's food security.</li>
<li>Development of a large network of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmer Producer Organisations</strong> </a>(FPOs).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/essential-commodities-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Amendments in the Essential Commodities Act, 1955</strong> </a>to deal with the issue of grain wastage in India.</li>
<li>Government is making efforts to <strong>make India Trans Fat free by 2022,</strong> a year ahead of the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO) target, in synergy with the vision of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/strategy-for-new-india-75" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> New India @75</strong></a> (75 years of India&rsquo;s independence).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/guidelines-for-reduction-of-trans-fatty-acids" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trans Fat</strong></a> is a <strong>food toxin</strong> present in <strong>Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils</strong> (PHVOs) (e.g. vanaspati, shortening, margarine, etc.), baked and fried foods.</li>
<li>It is a major <strong>contributor to the rise in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/non-communicable-diseases-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-communicable diseases</a></strong> in India and also a modifiable risk factor for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/higher-mortality-from-cardio-vascular-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cardiovascular diseases</strong></a> (CVD). Eliminating CVD risk factor is especially relevant during Covid-19 as <strong>people with CVD are predisposed to have serious conditions having</strong> an impact on mortality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1665119" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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