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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
Saviour Sibling

Why in News Recently, doctors successfully conducted India’s first ‘saviour sibling’ experiment. The Saviour Sibling named...

16 Oct 2020 Biotechnology
Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna

Why in News The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the second phase of “Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna” for the underprivileged...

15 Oct 2020 Biotechnology
CRISPR Technology

This article is based on “Gene editing, the good first and then the worries” which was published in The Hindu on 13/10/2020. It talks...

14 Oct 2020 Biotechnology
Factor D Protein: Covid-19

Why in News A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers suggests that blocking a human protein factor D may curtail the potentially deadly...

12 Oct 2020 Biotechnology
Session on Precision Agriculture

Why in News Recently, a session on “Sensors and Sensing for Precision Agriculture” was organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural...

07 Oct 2020 Biotechnology
Jasmonate Hormone and Rice Productivity

Why in News A new study by a team of scientists at National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi suggested that targeting a...

23 Sep 2020 Biotechnology
Biotech-KISAN Programme

Why in News As per the recent information shared by the Union Minister of Science and Technology in Lok Sabha, Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science...

19 Sep 2020 Biotechnology
Pact for Sputnik V Availability in India

Why in News The Russia Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is piloting Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, has partnered with the Hyderabad-based Dr....

17 Sep 2020 Biotechnology
Bradykinin Storm: Covid-19

Why in News A recent analysis of samples of patients with the Covid-19 infection has shown a phenomenon called a ‘bradykinin...

12 Sep 2020 Biotechnology
Concerns Over DNA Technology Regulation Bill

Why in News According to the draft report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, the DNA Technology (Use and...

25 Aug 2020 Biotechnology
Development of Synthetic Flavonoids

Why in News Recently, scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune have found the first synthetic route for producing flavonoids...

22 Aug 2020 Biotechnology
Biotechnology and its Applications

Introduction Biotechnology is technology that utilizes biological systems, living organisms or parts of this to develop or create different...

04 Aug 2020 Biotechnology
Aspirin to Prevent Cataract

Why in News Recently, scientists from the Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST) have developed nanorods from the Non-Steroidal...

03 Aug 2020 Biotechnology
New Research on Smallpox About its Origins

Why in News Recently, a new study carried out by an international team of researchers provides fresh insight into the origins of the Smallpox...

28 Jul 2020 Biotechnology

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		'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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		'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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		'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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		'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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		'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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		'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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		'article_id' => (int) 6756,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Saviour Sibling',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, doctors successfully conducted <strong>India&rsquo;s first &lsquo;saviour sibling&rsquo; experiment.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Saviour Sibling named Kavya</strong> saved her 6-year-old brother (suffering from Thalassemia).</li>
<li>150- 200 ml bone marrow was harvested from Kavya in an hour-long procedure and then given to her brother Abhijeet through transfusion.</li>
<li><strong>Kavya suffered low haemoglobin</strong> for some time but it was <strong>corrected with supplements</strong> and she also<strong> endured some pain</strong> in the areas from where the marrow was taken for a few days. Presently, <strong>both Kavya and Abhijeet are healthy.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>&lsquo;Saviour Sibling&rsquo;</strong> refers to<strong> babies that are created to serve an older sibling as a donor of organs, bone marrow or cells.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Stem cells from the umbilical cord blood or blood of the saviour sibling</strong> are used for <strong>treatment of serious blood disorders like</strong> <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/thalassemia-bal-sewa-yojna" target="_blank" rel="noopener">thalassemia</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-sickle-cell-day-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sickle cell anaemia.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are <strong>created with In vitro fertilisation (IVF)</strong> so that they can <strong>undergo pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (or testing)</strong> to rule out any genetic disorders and also check bone marrow compatibility. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT)</strong> refers to the genetic profiling of embryos. It is used to screen embryos for genetic diseases or chromosomal abnormalities.</li>
<li>From each embryo, PGT<strong> takes a biopsy of only a few cells</strong> and conducts a <strong>genetic analysis.</strong></li>
<li>This analysis can search to<strong> exclude embryos</strong> carrying a genetic variant that causes a <strong>hereditary disease,</strong> and it can search to find <strong>embryos that are an Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) match to a sibling.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>HLA</strong> is a type of molecule found on the surface of most cells in the body. These <strong>play an important part in the body&rsquo;s immune response to foreign substances.</strong></li>
<li>These <strong>make up a person&rsquo;s tissue type,</strong> which varies from person to person.</li>
<li><strong>HLA typing</strong> is<strong> important in organ transplantation protocols,</strong> as they determine the likelihood of rejection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>world&rsquo;s first saviour sibling, Adam Nash, </strong>was born in<strong> 2000</strong> in the<strong> USA.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Need:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For those families with a child that requires a stem cell transplant, often there is a <strong>hurdle of finding a donor for the transplant.</strong></li>
<li>A successful transplant requires an <strong>HLA match</strong> between donor and recipient. However, the <strong>probability of finding a suitable match among family members is about 30% overall.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ethical Considerations and Implications:</strong> In<strong> a 2004 paper</strong> published in the Journal of Medical Ethics, UK researchers debated <strong>whether selecting saviour siblings should be banned.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They studied the arguments to ban it:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>That saviour siblings <strong>would be wrongfully treated as means rather than ends.</strong></li>
<li>They would cause or <strong>constitute a slide towards <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/worlds-first-gene-edited-babies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">designer babies</a>,</strong></li>
<li>They <strong>would suffer physically and/or emotionally. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>But the paper found these arguments to be flawed.</strong> It concluded that the <strong>selection of saviour siblings should be permitted,</strong> especially given that prohibiting it would result in the preventable deaths of a number of existing children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>In vitro Fertilisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IVF is one of the more widely known types of <strong>Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).</strong></li>
<li>In vitro comes from the latin word<strong> &lsquo;in glass&rsquo;,</strong> i.e. studies are done in a test tube rather than in a human or animal.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>opposite</strong> to &lsquo;In-vitro&rsquo; is <strong>&lsquo;In-vivo&rsquo;,</strong> which comes from the latin word <strong>&lsquo;within the living&rsquo;.</strong> In vivo refers to experimentation being done in a living organism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In vitro means outside the body. Fertilization means the sperm has attached to and entered the egg.</li>
<li>During IVF, mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from the ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then the fertilized egg (embryo) or eggs (embryos) are transferred to a uterus.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Currently there is a significant gap between the biotechnology advancements in prenatal testing versus the necessary legal and ethical framework. It is imperative that legal and ethical standards be set for the benefit of both the families and professionals involved in the creation of savior children.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/a-sister-born-to-save-ailing-brother/article32856312.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6746,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> launched the <strong>second phase</strong> of <strong>&ldquo;Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna&rdquo;</strong> for the <strong>underprivileged Thalassemic patients</strong>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)</strong> program was launched in <strong>2017</strong> and is funded by <strong>Coal India <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)</a></strong>. It will be <strong>extended</strong> for next two years from 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>HSCT</strong> refers to the <strong>transplantation of stem cells</strong> from various sources (bone marrow, growth factor&ndash;stimulated peripheral blood, and umbilical cord blood) for the treatment of various diseases like autoimmune, and genetic diseases.</li>
<li><strong>Hematopoietic Stem Cell:</strong> It is an immature cell that can develop into all types of blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Hematopoietic stem cells are found in the peripheral blood and the bone marrow. Also called blood stem cell.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> It aims to provide a<strong> one-time cure opportunity for Haemoglobinopathies like Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Disease</strong> for patients who have a matched family donor.</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong> Only patients whose <strong>monthly family income is below Rs 20,000</strong> will be eligible for this assistance.</li>
<li>The scheme has been extended to cover <strong>Aplastic Anaemia patients</strong> (lack of blood cell production in body).</li>
<li><strong>Funding:</strong> The CSR initiative was targeted to provide financial assistance to a total of 200 patients by providing a package cost not exceeding <strong>rupees 10 lakhs per HSCT</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Statistics:</strong> It is estimated 10,000 to 12,000 children are born with thalassemia every year in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Data on the prevalence of <strong>silent carriers</strong> (persons without symptoms but potential to transmit to offsprings) for various Haemoglobinopathies show that silent carriers are <strong>2.9-4.6% for Thalassemia</strong>, while it can be as high as <strong>40% for sickle cell anaemia</strong> especially among the tribal population.</li>
<li>Haemoglobin variants like<strong> Hemoglobin E (HBE)</strong> - deformed hemoglobin- in <strong>eastern India</strong> can be as common as <strong>3-50%</strong> which calls for more attention to these diseases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Thalassemia</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>genetic blood disorder</strong> that causes the body to have less hemoglobin than normal. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen. Thalassemia can cause anemia, leading to fatigue.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sickle Cell Disease</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an inherited disease caused by defects, called mutations, in the beta globin gene that helps make hemoglobin. The red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a &ldquo;sickle&rdquo;. The <strong>sickle cells die early</strong>, which causes a <strong>constant shortage of red blood cells</strong>.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-sickle-cell-day-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Sickle Cell Day 2020</strong> </a>was observed to increase awareness about the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) at the national level.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The day is recognised by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> and celebrated every year on <strong>19<sup>th</sup> June</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1664398" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6738,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'CRISPR Technology',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/gene-editing-the-good-first-and-then-the-worries/article32837842.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Gene editing, the good first and then the worries&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 13/10/2020. It talks about the opportunity and issues related to CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, 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>Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2020</strong></a> was given to two women scientists namely Emmanuelle Charpentier (France) &amp; Jennifer A. Doudna (Germany). The nobel prize was given to them for the development of a method for genome editing.</p>
<p>The two scientists have pioneered the use of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chinas-gene-editing-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)</strong></a> &ndash; Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) system as a gene-editing tool.</p>
<p>Using components of the CRISPR system, researchers can add, remove, or even alter specific DNA. This has led to a significant impact in biology, medicine, and agriculture.</p>
<p>However, there is growing fear that the promising <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/genetic-engineering-promises-perils" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gene-editing system</strong></a> can cause many social and anthropogenic issues.</p>
<h3>Application of Gene-Editing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agriculture:</strong> It is being tried out in agriculture primarily to increase plant yield, quality, disease resistance, herbicide resistance and domestication of wild species.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The huge potential to edit genes using this tool has been used to create a large number of crop varieties with improved agronomic performance; it has also brought in sweeping changes to breeding technologies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Genetic-Research:</strong> CRISPR systems are already delivering superior genetic models for fundamental disease research, drug screening, and therapy development, rapid diagnostics, in-vivo editing and correction of heritable conditions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists are working on the theory that CRISPR might be used to boost the function of the body's T-cells so that the immune system is better at recognizing and killing cancer.</li>
<li>Disorders of the blood and immune system are other potential targets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Medical Treatment:</strong> CRISPR/Cas9 has also been seen as a promising way to create potential genome editing treatments for diseases such as HIV, cancer or sickle cell disease.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such therapeutics could inactivate a disease-causing gene, or correct a genetic mutation.</li>
<li>Researchers in China edited human embryos to try to correct a faulty gene that caused an inherited blood disorder.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Therapeutic Cloning:</strong> It is a process whereby embryonic cells are cloned to obtain biological organs for transplantation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Involved</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Debate in Agriculture Genetic Modification:</strong> There are concerns over the inadvertent effects, such as the creation of food that can cause an allergic reaction.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Two studies, one from the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, and the other from the biopharmaceutical company Novartis, have highlighted that CRISPR-Cas9-edited cells might trigger cancer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Germline Modification:</strong> Germline Editing means deliberately changing the genes passed on to children and future generations &ndash; in other words, creating genetically modified people.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the most of the ethical discussions related to genome editing center around human germline editing. This is because changes made in the germline would be passed down to future generations.</li>
<li>Human germline modification has for many years been widely considered off-limits, for both safety and social reasons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Germline is the cellular lineage of a sexually reproducing organism from which eggs and sperm are derived.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Genetic Inequality:</strong> Through Gene-editing, wealthy parents can buy the latest offspring upgrades for their children.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will lead to the emergence of genetic haves and have-nots and even greater inequality than the present world already lives with.</li>
<li>Some of the key scientists in this field have concerns about the potential misuse of a technology that could be used for eugenics, to create genetic discrimination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Illegal Experimentation:</strong> Last year, a Chinese researcher used the tool to modify a particular gene in the embryo to make babies immune to HIV infection, which led to international furore.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though no guidelines have been drawn up so far, there is a general consensus in the scientific and ethics communities that the gene-editing technique should not be used clinically on embryos.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Status In India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, several rules, guidelines, and policies backed by the &ldquo;Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989&rdquo; notified under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environment Protection Act, 1986</strong></a>, regulate genetically modified organisms.</li>
<li>Apart from it, the <strong>National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research involving human participants, 2017,</strong> by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Biomedical and Health Research Regulation Bill implies regulation of the gene-editing process.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is especially so in the usage of its language &ldquo;modification, deletion or removal of parts of heritable material&rdquo;.</li>
<li>However, there is no explicit mention of the term gene editing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The gene-editing tool has indeed taken &ldquo;life sciences into a new epoch&rdquo;. However, like other scientific development it can turn out to be both as a boon or a bane. Therefore, it all depends how well the gene-editing science is regulated for the welfare of humankind.</p>
<p>Thus, it is time that India came up with a specific law to ban germline editing and put out guidelines for conducting gene-editing research giving rise to modified organisms.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602675987_image0.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602675987_image0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #efffed;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The gene-editing tool has indeed taken &ldquo;life sciences into a new epoch&rdquo;. However, like other scientific development it can turn out to be both as a boon or a bane. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sv37wyM3xTI" 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.business-standard.com/article/opinion/award-for-auctions-120101201551_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Award for auctions&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Business Standard on October 12<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6711,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Factor D Protein: Covid-19',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers suggests that<strong> blocking a human protein factor D</strong> may curtail the <strong>potentially deadly inflammatory reactions</strong> that many patients have to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Method:</strong> The new study used normal human blood serum and three subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to discover exactly how the virus hijacks the immune system and endangers normal cells.</li>
<li><strong>Focus:</strong> Team focused on two proteins,<strong> factor H</strong> and <strong>factor D,</strong> which are known as <strong>&ldquo;complement&rdquo; proteins,</strong> because they help the immune system clear pathogens from the body.</li>
<li><strong>Findings:</strong> The researchers discovered that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>&rsquo;s spike protein causes factor D to overstimulate the immune response, which in turn prevents factor H from mediating that response. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Spike proteins</strong> on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 are the means by which it attaches to cells targeted for infection.</li>
<li>The spikes first grab hold of a molecule called <strong>heparan sulfate.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Heparan sulfate</strong> is a large, complex sugar molecule found on the surface of cells in the lungs, blood vessels and smooth muscle making up most organs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Facilitated by its initial binding with heparan sulfate, SARS-CoV-2 then uses another cell-surface component, the protein known as<strong> angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2),</strong> as its doorway into the attacked cell.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>ACE2 is a protein on the surface of many cell types.</li>
<li>It is an enzyme that generates small proteins &ndash; by cutting up the larger protein angiotensinogen &ndash; that then go on to regulate functions in the cell.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>When SARS-CoV-2 attacks the ACE2 receptors to proliferate and infect more cells in the human body, it also <strong>prevents Factor H</strong> from using the sugar molecule to bind with cells.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Factor H&rsquo;s main function</strong> is to regulate the chemical signals that trigger inflammation and keep the immune system from harming healthy cells.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The team found that<strong> by blocking factor D,</strong> they were able to stop the destructive chain of events triggered by SARS-CoV-2.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has provided a definite direction for research to tackle Covid-19.</li>
<li>There may already be drugs in development for other diseases that can block this protein, a positive sign for the study.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/blocking-key-protein-may-guard-against-severe-covid-19-study-6721235/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6670,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Session on Precision Agriculture',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a session on<strong> &ldquo;Sensors and Sensing for Precision Agriculture&rdquo;</strong> was organised by the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-council-of-agricultural-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Council of Agricultural Research</a>-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iari-breeds-nutrient-rich-hybrid-maize" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Agricultural Research Institute</a></strong> (ICAR-IARI).</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Precision Agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Precision agriculture (PA) is an <strong>approach where inputs are utilised in precise amounts to get increased average yields,</strong> compared to traditional cultivation techniques such as <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-212" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>agroforestry</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/multi-cropping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>intercropping</strong></a>, crop rotation, etc.</li>
<li>Sustainable PA is this century&rsquo;s most valuable innovation in farm management that is based on using <strong>Information and Communication Technologies</strong> (ICTs).</li>
<li>It is <strong>based on sustainable agriculture and healthy food production</strong> and it consists of profitability and increasing production, economic efficiency and the reduction of side effects on the environment.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Increases agriculture productivity.</li>
<li>Prevents soil degradation.</li>
<li>Reduces chemical application in crop production.</li>
<li>Efficient use of water resources.</li>
<li>Disseminates modern farm practices to improve the quality, quantity and reduced cost of production.</li>
<li>Changes the socio-economic status of farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Research suggests <strong>educational and economic challenges</strong> as the two most important in the application of precision agriculture.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Among the <strong>variables that contribute to educational challenges,</strong> lack of local experts, funds, knowledgeable research and extension personnel have more of an impact compared to others.</li>
<li>PA and initial costs have more of an impact among the<strong> economic challenges</strong> compared to the other issues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Discussions at the Session:</strong> Recent <strong>advances in the field of sensors, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cartosat-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remote sensing</a>, deep learning, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">artificial intelligence</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-must-get-on-the-iot-highway-fast#:~:text=Internet%20Of%20Things%20(IoT)%20is%20a%20computing%20concept%20that%20describes,than%20the%20object%20by%20itself." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Internet of Things</a></strong> (IoT)<strong> for monitoring and quantification</strong> of soil, plant and environment to enhance farm productivity with increased input use efficiency and environmental <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sustainability</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Part of VAIBHAV Summit:</strong> The session is a part of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vaibhav-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vaishwik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit 2020.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>VAIBHAV is a<strong> Government of India initiative</strong> to bring together the thought process, practices, research and development (R&amp;D) culture of overseas and Indian scientists/academicians.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Research Gaps Identified:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Development of indigenous low-cost sensors</strong> with integrated platforms, robotics, IoT for high throughput field phenotyping and soil and crop health monitoring and management.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Phenotyping is the process</strong> of determining, analysing or predicting all or part of an organism's phenotype (observable physical properties of an organism).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Big data analytics and modelling</strong> for sensor-based early detection of stresses, discrimination in the agriculture sector.</li>
<li><strong>Standardized protocols for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-anti-drone-guidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unmanned Aerial Vehicle</a></strong> (UAV) based imaging using different sensors, inter sensor calibration and data analytics for near real-time crop condition monitoring and management.</li>
<li><strong>Development of affordable scale neutral precision agricultural technologies</strong> suitable to the ecosystem of Indian agriculture.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Scale neutrality means, if other things remain the same, one small plot of land gives the same proportion of output as a large land holding.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Keeping in view the research gaps, a specific objective-driven collaboration needs to be proposed.</li>
<li>More R&amp;D in the field and on the concept is needed. For that, collaborations with global universities can be done for further excelling in education and research and capacity building.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1662115" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6562,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Jasmonate Hormone and Rice Productivity',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A new study by a team of scientists at <strong>National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR),</strong> New Delhi suggested that targeting a specific plant hormone <strong>Jasmonate (JA)</strong> would help rice plants have greater tolerance to potassium (K) deficiency and improve productivity.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>overexpression</strong> of a <strong>gene</strong> called <strong>OsJAZ9</strong> helped make rice plants more tolerant of potassium deficiency.</li>
<li>There was an enhanced accumulation of <strong>JA-Ile &mdash;</strong> a<strong> bioactive</strong> form of the hormone <strong>Jasmonate (JA),</strong> in OsJAZ9 overexpressing rice, on potassium deficiency.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>JA-lle</strong> helps in modulating various K transporters and root system architecture.</li>
<li><strong>JA-Ile</strong> contributes to several aspects of plant growth and development and levels increase under stress conditions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The study suggests that targeting research towards<strong> JA</strong> could help achieve both, <strong>nutrient- efficient</strong> crops and <strong>protection against pests.</strong></li>
<li>JA is often associated with the plant&rsquo;s <strong>defence against biotic factors</strong> like insects, pests and other pathogens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Potassium.</strong> Potassium (K) is considered a <strong>macronutrient</strong> for plants and is the most abundant cation within plant cells.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Significance of Potassium:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Plants require, among other things, a <strong>high and stable concentration</strong> of potassium ion<strong> to activate many enzymes</strong> that are involved in <strong>respiration and photosynthesis.</strong></li>
<li>Potassium is also involved in key cellular processes such as <strong>energy production,</strong> and <strong>cell expansion.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Cell expansion</strong> is the process of taking cells extracted from tissue, culturing them in the lab and encouraging them to reproduce.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Potassium Deficiency:</strong> It affects plants by inhibiting the growth of the roots and the shoots. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Studies have shown that plants that are deficient in potassium are more susceptible to salt, drought, chilling and other abiotic and biotic stresses.</li>
<li>Potassium deficiency occurs frequently in plants grown on sandy soils resulting in a number of symptoms including curling of leaf tips and yellowing (chlorosis) of leaves, as well as <strong>reduced growth and fertility. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Potassium Availability to plant Roots:</strong> Despite being among the most abundant minerals in the soil, its availability to plants is limited. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is because most of the soil potassium (about 98%) is in<strong> bound forms</strong> and its release into the soil solution is far slower than the rate of its acquisition by the roots.</li>
<li>The availability of potassium in the soil solution or exchangeable form depends on <strong>multiple factors</strong> like <strong>soil acidity,</strong> presence of other<strong> monovalent cations</strong> like sodium and ammonium ions and the <strong>type of soil particles.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Macro and Micro-nutrients</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Macronutrients</strong> are divided into two groups:<strong> primary</strong> and <strong>secondary.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-approves-nutrient-based-subsidy-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>primary macronutrients</strong></a> are those that are needed in the highest concentration: <strong>nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).</strong> In fact, these three primary nutrients are needed in higher concentrations than the rest of the macronutrients combined.</li>
<li><strong>Secondary</strong> macronutrients are also required for sustained plant health, but in lower quantities than the primary macronutrients. <strong>Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sulfur (S)</strong> comprise the secondary macronutrients.</li>
<li><strong>Micronutrients</strong> are also essential to plant development and growth but are needed only in trace amounts, compared to their macro-counterparts. The seven critical micronutrients are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Boron (B)</li>
<li>Zinc (Zn)</li>
<li>Iron (Fe)</li>
<li>Manganese (Mn)</li>
<li>Copper (Cu)</li>
<li>Molybdenum (Mo)</li>
<li>Chlorine (Cl)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-97#:~:text=A%20large%20increase%20in%20crop,land%20using%20new%20farming%20techniques." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Green Revolution</strong> </a>of the 1960s was driven by another plant hormone called <strong>Gibberellins (GA).</strong> JA hormone can be the new focus.</li>
<li><strong>Future agriculture</strong> has to be <strong>input efficient</strong> rather than input intensive. The genetic resources for improving fertiliser use efficiency in rice which is of prime value for achieving sustainable agriculture must be stressed upon.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/science-technology/study-zeroes-in-on-target-plant-hormone-to-improve-potassium-deficiency-in-rice-73495#:~:text=Targeting%20a%20specific%20plant%20hormone,insects%2C%20pests%20and%20other%20pathogens." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6531,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Biotech-KISAN Programme',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As per the recent information shared by the Union Minister of Science and Technology in Lok Sabha, <strong>Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN) programme</strong> plays an important role in taking innovative <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biotechnology-and-its-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>biotechnologies</strong></a> to the farmers.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Biotech-KISAN programme is a <strong>farmer-centric scheme</strong> for farmers, developed by and with farmers under the <strong>Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>pan-India program,</strong> following a<strong> hub-and-spoke model</strong> and stimulates <strong>entrepreneurship and innovation in farmers</strong> and <strong>empowers women farmers.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has a<strong> unique feature</strong> to identify and promote local farm<strong> leadership in both genders.</strong> Such leadership helps to develop science-based farming besides facilitating the transfer of knowledge.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To <strong>understand the problems</strong> of water, soil, seed and market faced by the farmers and<strong> provide simple solutions</strong> to them.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The programme links available science and technology to the farm by first understanding the problem of the local farmer and then providing scientific solutions to those problems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> Biotech-KISAN hubs</strong> 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.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, there are a total of eight Biotech-KISAN Hubs in different Agro-climatic Zones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biotechnology in Agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Government supports</strong> research institutes, central and state agriculture universities for competitive research and development and demonstration<strong> activities in agriculture biotechnology </strong>including<strong> organic farming.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been supported across the country including <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/aspirational-districts-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aspirational Districts.</strong> </a></li>
<li>During the last three years, approximately Rs. 310 crores have been invested in supporting the use of biotechnology in agriculture.</li>
<li>The <strong>Integrated Human Resource Development Programme</strong> under the Department of Biotechnology has been implemented to <strong>provide biotechnology trained personnel in various fields</strong> including agriculture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alternative of Conventional Farming:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>understanding of genetics and biotechnology</strong> could enable farmers to obtain maximum yield from their fields and to minimise the use of fertilisers and chemicals so as to avoid their harmful effects on the environment.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-seeds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genetically Modified Organisms&rsquo;</strong></a> (GMO) use is a possible solution and an alternative path to conventional farming.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>GMOs have made crops more tolerant to abiotic stresses, reduced reliance on chemical pesticides, reduced post-harvest losses, increased efficiency of mineral usage by plants and enhanced nutritional value of food.</li>
<li>For example, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bt-cotton-in-india-problems-and-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bt cotton</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/illegal-cultivation-of-bt-brinjal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bt Brinjal</strong></a>, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Genetically Modified Biopesticides</strong> are biologically based agents used for the control of plant pests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They <strong>can be living organisms</strong> (nematodes or micro-organisms) or<strong> naturally occurring substances,</strong> such as plant extracts or insect pheromones which can <strong>provide resistance to insects without the need for chemical insecticides.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1656225" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6506,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Pact for Sputnik V Availability in India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Russia Direct Investment Fund (RDIF),</strong> which is piloting <strong>Russia&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/russian-covid-vaccine-sputnik-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sputnik V</a> vaccine,</strong> has partnered with the <strong>Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy&rsquo;s Laboratories</strong> to supply 100 million doses of the vaccine.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sputnik V:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Russian vaccine has been named after the <strong>first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik-I</strong> launched by the Soviet Union.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>first Covid-19 vaccine</strong> to be approved by any government for common people.</li>
<li>The Russian vaccine <strong>has outrun other Covid-19 vaccines</strong> like <strong>Oxford-Astra Zeneca, Moderna and Pfizer</strong> which are still in trials.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covaxin-approved-for-human-clinical-trials" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covaxin</strong></a> has been approved for human clinical trials.</li>
<li>Another Indian vaccine <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/clinical-trial-of-covid-19-vaccine-zycov-d" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ZyCoV-D</strong></a> has entered phase I/II of clinical trials.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has been developed by Moscow&rsquo;s <strong>Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology</strong> in collaboration with the Russia&rsquo;s defence ministry.</li>
<li>It is based on the<strong> DNA</strong> of a<strong> SARS-CoV-2</strong> type <strong>adenovirus,</strong> a common cold virus.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It uses the <strong>weakened virus</strong> to deliver small parts of a pathogen and stimulate an immune response.</li>
<li>It is administered in <strong>two doses</strong> and consists of two types of a human adenovirus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Phase 1 and 2 results have shown promise.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The results of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials of the vaccine were published in The Lancet, demonstrating no serious adverse effects and a stable immune response in 100% of the participants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Phase 3 trials will be conducted in India</strong> to meet the requirements of the Indian regulators.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sputnik V vaccine could provide a credible option in India&rsquo;s fight against Covid-19.</li>
<li>India has also <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-u-s-to-collaborate-on-covid-19-vaccine-trials" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>partnered with the USA</strong></a> for development of Covid-19 vaccine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulatory Requirements in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> approval</strong> for a vaccine is given by the<strong> Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A vaccine, developed outside India, needs to be<strong> tested with late-phase human trials,</strong> usually both phase-2 and phase-3, on an <strong>Indian population</strong> as a part of general requirement.</li>
<li>CDSCO can also give<strong> emergency authorisation</strong> without late-phase trials, considering the extraordinary situation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns Regarding the Vaccine:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Experts expressed concerns over the safety and efficacy of the vaccine due to its <strong>extremely fast production and lack of published data</strong> on the vaccine.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Russia has only made<strong> public</strong> the <strong>results of phase I and phase II</strong> of the clinical trials, which it claimed were successful and produced the desired immune response.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The late-phase human trials are important because the vaccine&rsquo;s efficacy can differ on different population groups. After trials, vaccines are given to a large number of people, and the risks involved are much higher if trials are not comprehensive.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Russia, however, has claimed that this was made possible due to the fact that its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>vaccine candidate closely resembled a vaccine for <strong>Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)</strong> disease, caused by another coronavirus, that had already been tested extensively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are also issues in manufacturing the vaccine in India as there is<strong> no agreement for its production in India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pune-based Serum Institute of India,<strong> the world&rsquo;s largest manufacturer of vaccines by volume,</strong> has already entered into tie-ups with developers to mass-produce their vaccines. Other Indian companies have also done similar agreements but there is none with Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vaccine Base in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Besides a big domestic market, India is a strong player globally in the field of vaccines. In FY20, vaccine exports accounted for 4.27% of total pharma exports.</li>
<li>Its manufacturing skill is evident from the fact that about 70% WHO vaccines and 90% of measles shots are sourced from India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Adenovirus Vector Vaccine</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In this vaccine, adenovirus is used as a tool to deliver genes or vaccine antigens to the target host tissue.</li>
<li>Adenoviruses (ADVs) are <strong>DNA viruses</strong> ranging from 70-90 nanometre in size, which induce many illnesses in humans like cold, respiratory infection etc.</li>
<li>Adenoviruses are preferred for vaccines because their DNA is <strong>double stranded</strong> which makes them <strong>genetically more stable</strong> and the chances of them changing after injection are lower.</li>
<li>However, there are drawbacks of adenovirus vector vaccines like <strong>pre-existing immunity in humans and inflammatory responses</strong> which may make vaccines less effective.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>CDSCO,</strong> under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare, is the <strong>National Regulatory Authority</strong> (NRA) of India.</li>
<li>Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, CDSCO is responsible for<strong> approval of Drugs, Conduct of Clinical Trials, laying down the standards for Drugs, control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country and coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations by providing expert advice.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/russia-inks-pact-to-test-supply-sputnik-v-vaccine-to-india/article32624204.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6462,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Bradykinin Storm: Covid-19',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A recent analysis of samples of patients with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> infection has shown a phenomenon called a <strong>&lsquo;bradykinin storm&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Doctors treating Covid-19 patients often <strong>cannot identify the severity with which the SARS-CoV-2 virus seems to affect some people</strong> and &lsquo;bradykinin storm&rsquo; might explain the working of the virus in the body.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the <strong>cytokine storm</strong> is able to explain certain causes for the rapid deterioration in some patients with Covid-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The bradykinin hypothesis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SARS-CoV-2 uses a human enzyme called <strong>ACE2</strong> to enter into the cells of its host.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>ACE2 lowers <strong>blood pressure</strong> in the human body and works against another enzyme known as ACE (which has the opposite effect).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The virus causes the levels of ACE to fall in the lungs, and consequently pushes up the levels of ACE2.</li>
<li>This happens as a chain reaction and increases the levels of the <strong>molecule bradykinin</strong> in the cells, causing a<strong> bradykinin storm.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Bradykinin</strong> is a compound that is <strong>related to pain sensation and lowering blood pressure</strong> in the human body.</li>
<li>Bradykinin storm causes the blood vessels to expand and become leaky, leading to swelling of the surrounding tissue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase in hyaluronic acid:</strong> The levels of a substance called hyaluronic acid also increases.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in the skin, and it helps to bind water to collagen (a protein). It can absorb more than 1,000 times its own weight in water to form a hydrogel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> The bradykinin storm-induced <strong>leakage of fluid into the lungs combined with the excess hyaluronic acid</strong> would likely result in a <strong>Jello-like substance</strong> that prevents oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide in the lungs of severely affected Covid-19 patients.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This rapid accumulation of fluid in the lungs of patients sometimes makes even the most sophisticated intensive care, including ventilators, futile.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> Knowing the mechanism, doctors can target the bradykinin pathway to evolve more <strong>therapeutic interventions</strong> to offset the severe effects of Covid-19.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cytokine Storm Syndrome</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-cytokine-storms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cytokine Storm Syndrome</strong></a> is characterised by the overproduction of immune cells and the cytokines themselves because of a dysregulation in the process.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cytokines</strong> are a large group of proteins that are secreted by specific cells of the immune system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> A cytokine storm can occur due to an infection, auto-immune condition (when the body's immune system attacks healthy cells as in case of coeliac disease- an immune disorder that primarily affects the small intestine), or other diseases.</li>
<li><strong>Signs and symptoms</strong> include high fever, inflammation (redness and swelling), severe fatigue, and nausea.</li>
<li>In the case of any flu infection, a cytokine storm is associated with a surge of activated immune cells into the lungs, which, instead of fighting off the antigen, leads to lung inflammation and fluid build-up, and respiratory distress.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/is-covid-19-setting-off-a-bradykinin-storm-in-the-body/article32531836.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6286,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Concerns Over DNA Technology Regulation Bill',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the draft report of the <strong>Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dna-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018</strong></a> could be misused for<strong> caste or community-based profiling.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>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 <strong>crime, parentage dispute, <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/human-migration-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">emigration or immigration</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/organ-donation-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">transplantation of human organs.</a></strong></li>
<li>It provides for establishment of <strong>national and regional DNA data banks</strong> and each databank will maintain <strong>crime scene index, suspects&rsquo; or undertrials&rsquo; index and offenders&rsquo; index</strong> separately.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A similar bill was passed in <strong>Lok Sabha</strong> in <strong>2018</strong> but could <strong>not be passed in the Rajya Sabha.</strong></li>
<li>The 2019 Bill was referred to the<strong> Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests</strong> for examination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns Raised by the Committee:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Misuse of Sensitive Information:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-dna-technology-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DNA profiles</strong></a> can reveal <strong>extremely sensitive information</strong> of an individual such as family ancestry (pedigree), skin colour, behaviour, illness, health status and susceptibility to diseases.</li>
<li>Access to such intrusive information can be misused to specifically target individuals and their families with their own genetic data.</li>
<li>It could even be used to incorrectly<strong> link a particular caste/community to criminal activities.</strong></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<strong> suspects, undertrials, victims and their relatives</strong> for future investigations.</li>
<li>The Bill also provides that <strong>DNA profiles for civil matters</strong> will also be stored in the data banks, but <strong>without a clear and separate index.</strong></li>
<li>The committee has questioned the necessity for storage of such DNA profiles, pointing out that this <strong>violates the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privacy-judgement-and-the-aftermath" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fundamental right to privacy</a></strong> 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, a magistrate can easily <strong>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>Removal of DNA Profiles of Accused:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill permits <strong>retention of DNA</strong> found at a crime scene in perpetuity, even if conviction of the offender has been overturned.</li>
<li>The committee has recommended that independent scrutiny must be done of the proposals to <strong>destroy biological samples and remove DNA profiles from the database.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Absence of Robust Data Protections</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The committee has also called the Bill &ldquo;premature&rdquo; and questioned the <strong>security of a huge number of DNA profiles</strong> that will be placed with the<strong> National DNA Data bank</strong> and its regional centres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need of the Bill:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>DNA testing is currently being done on an<strong> extremely limited scale in India,</strong> with approximately 30-40 DNA experts in 15-18 laboratories undertaking less than 3,000 cases per year, which represent <strong>2-3% of the total need.</strong></li>
<li>The standards of the DNA testing laboratories are not monitored or regulated, in absence of any proper regulation.</li>
<li>The Bill will enable <strong>identification of missing children.</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>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill will also help in identifying unidentified <strong>deceased, including disaster victims</strong> and <strong>apprehend repeat offenders </strong>for <strong>heinous crimes such as rape and murder.</strong></li>
<li>Over the concerns of misuse it is being said that any and every blood sample collected by a clinical laboratory has the same potential for misuse.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Scenario Regarding DNA Profiling:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to US Interpol&rsquo;s <strong>Global DNA Profiling Survey Results 2016,</strong> as many as <strong>69</strong> countries have a national DNA database, including the USA, Canada and China. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The countries hold genetic information of at least 35,413,155 individuals.</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 <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO's</strong> </a>32<sup>nd</sup> General Conference on 16 October 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>Genome India Project (GIP):</strong> Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Science and Technology</strong> 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 <strong>a representative Indian genome.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gene Mapping is <strong>different from DNA profiling</strong> as DNA profiling uses small stretches of DNA to identify an individual while gene mapping involves sequencing the whole genome. 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>Although DNA can be an important tool in solving crimes, using DNA effectively during criminal investigations requires <strong>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.</strong> Thus, oversight of both laboratory quality assurance and crime scene examination need to be ensured. Also, keeping the civilian and criminal DNA Database separate is necessary.</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>
<li>The government also needs to do a <strong>cost-benefit analysis</strong> as creating large databases is often not a cost-effective way to solve more crimes, and limited resources must be targeted effectively.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dna-bill-can-be-misused-for-caste-based-profiling-says-panel-draft-report/article32429334.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6258,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Development of Synthetic Flavonoids',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists from <strong>Agharkar Research Institute</strong> (ARI), Pune have found the first <strong>synthetic route for producing flavonoids molecules</strong> related to the treatment of tuberculosis and chikungunya.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ARI is an <strong>autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology</strong> (DST), Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is for the <strong>first time that scientists have been able to synthesize the flavonoid molecules</strong> such as<strong> rugosa flavonoids, podocare flavone and isoflavone</strong> in a lab.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These three molecules have so far been isolated from plants only and are found to <strong>inhibit <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-tuberculosis-day#:~:text=Transmission%3A%20TB%20is%20spread%20from,a%20treatable%20and%20curable%20disease." target="_blank" rel="noopener">tuberculosis</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-aedes-aegypti" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chikungunya</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flavonoids:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Flavonoids are part of the<strong> polyphenol class of phytonutrients (plant chemicals)</strong> found in almost all fruits and vegetables. Along with<strong> carotenoids</strong> (organic pigments), they are<strong> responsible for the vivid colours</strong> in fruits and vegetables.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Polyphenols have historically been used in <strong>Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine</strong> and are associated with skin protection, brain function, blood sugar and blood pressure regulation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These are <strong>powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits</strong> as well. A diet rich in flavonoids can protect from diseases related to heart, liver, kidney, brain and other infectious diseases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of the Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Availability:</strong> It will ensure their <strong>availability at all seasons</strong> without the dependence on natural timings of the plantations.</li>
<li><strong>Uniformity:</strong> Inconsistency in natural products can occur in different seasons, places and species. Man-made molecules will have a<strong> uniform structure and medicinal properties</strong> similar to the natural product.</li>
<li><strong>Less-exploitative:</strong> Acquiring them from labs will <strong>solve the problem of over-exploitation of medicinal plants</strong> which puts an extra burden on the environment.</li>
<li><strong>Cost-effective:</strong> The development method in labs is<strong> simple and cost-effective</strong> as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Possible Use of Flavonoids:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Flavonoids can <strong>ease the lives of women who face problems in the premenopausal stage</strong> because its chemical structure is similar to the female <strong>hormone 17-beta-estradiol.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Estradiol</strong> is an estrogen steroid hormone and the major female sex hormone which is involved in the regulation of the estrous (oestrous) and menstrual female reproductive cycles.</li>
<li><strong>Premenopausal stage</strong> refers to the time when female bodies make the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the menstrual cycles and reproductive years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Preliminary indications and computational analysis show the <strong>capacity of these molecules to inhibit <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong> by targeting spike protein and proteases (an enzyme that catalyzes proteolysis, the breakdown of proteins).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since flavonoids boost-up immunity, a <strong>flavonoid-rich diet is recommended to stay safe from Covid-19.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1647247" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6098,
		'category_id' => (int) 28,
		'title' => 'Biotechnology and its Applications',
		'description' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Biotechnology is technology that utilizes biological systems, living organisms or parts of this to develop or create different products.</li>
<li>Brewing and baking bread are examples of processes that fall within the concept of biotechnology (use of yeast (= living organism) to produce the desired product). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such traditional processes usually utilize the living organisms in their natural form (or further developed by breeding), while the more modern form of biotechnology will generally involve a more advanced modification of the biological system or organism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>With the development of genetic engineering in the 1970s, research in biotechnology (and other related areas such as medicine, biology etc.) developed rapidly because of the new possibility to make changes in the organisms' genetic material (DNA).</li>
<li>Biotechnology deals with industrial scale production of biopharmaceuticals and biologicals using genetically modified microbes, fungi, plants and animals.</li>
<li>The applications of biotechnology include therapeutics, diagnostics, genetically modified crops for agriculture, processed food, bioremediation, waste treatment, and energy production.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Agriculture</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Alternative of conventional farming:</strong> Use of genetically modified crops is a possible solution. It is an alternative path to conventional farming. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The understanding of genetics could enable farmers to obtain maximum yield from their fields and to minimise the use of fertilisers and chemicals so that their harmful effects on the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)</strong>: Plants, bacteria, fungi and animals whose genes have been altered by manipulation are called Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-seeds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GM plants</strong></a> have been useful in many ways. Genetic modification has: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Made crops more <strong>tolerant</strong> to abiotic stresses (cold, drought, salt, heat).</li>
<li>Reduced reliance on chemical pesticides (pest-resistant crops).</li>
<li>Helped to reduce post harvest losses.</li>
<li>Increased efficiency of mineral usage by plants (this prevents early exhaustion of fertility of soil).</li>
<li>Enhanced nutritional value of food, e.g., golden rice, i.e., Vitamin &lsquo;A&rsquo; enriched rice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Genetically modified <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pesticide-management-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">biopesticide</a>:</strong> Bt toxin is produced by a bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt for short). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bt toxin gene has been cloned from the bacteria and been expressed in plants to provide resistance to insects without the need for insecticides</li>
<li>In effect created a bio-pesticide. Examples are Bt cotton, Bt corn, rice, tomato, potato and soyabean etc. Bt Cotton.</li>
<li>Some strains of Bacillus thuringiensis produce proteins that kill certain insects such as lepidopterans (tobacco budworm, armyworm), coleopterans (beetles) and dipterans (flies, mosquitoes).</li>
<li>B. thuringiensis forms protein crystals during a particular phase of their growth. These crystals contain a toxic insecticidal protein.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pest resistant plants:</strong> Several nematodes parasitise a wide variety of plants and animals including human beings. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A nematode Meloidogyne incognita infects the roots of tobacco plants and causes a great reduction in yield.</li>
<li>A novel strategy was adopted to prevent this infestation which was based on the process of RNA interference (RNAi).</li>
<li>RNAi takes place in all eukaryotic organisms as a method of cellular defense.</li>
<li>This method involves silencing of a specific mRNA due to a complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevents translation of the mRNA (silencing).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Medicine</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-dna-technology-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> recombinant DNA</strong></a> technological processes have made immense impact in the area of healthcare. It enables mass production of safe and more effective therapeutic drugs.</li>
<li>The recombinant therapeutics do not induce unwanted immunological responses as is common in case of similar products isolated from non-human sources.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Genetically Engineered Insulin</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Management of adult-onset diabetes is possible by taking insulin at regular time intervals.</li>
<li>Insulin consists of two short polypeptide chains: chain A and chain B, that are linked together by disulphide bridges.</li>
<li>In mammals, including humans, insulin is synthesised as a prohormone.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Like a pro-enzyme, the pro-hormone also needs to be processed before it becomes a fully mature and functional hormone) which contains an extra stretch called the C peptide.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>C peptide is not present in the mature insulin and is removed during maturation into insulin.</li>
<li>The main challenge for production of insulin using rDNA techniques was getting insulin assembled into a mature form.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Gene Therapy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If a person is born with a hereditary disease, can a corrective therapy be taken for such a disease. Gene therapy is an attempt to do this.</li>
<li>Gene therapy is a collection of methods that allows correction of a gene defect that has been diagnosed in a child/embryo.</li>
<li>Genes are inserted into a person&rsquo;s cells and tissues to treat a disease.</li>
<li>Correction of a genetic defect involves delivery of a normal gene into the individual or embryo to take over the function of and compensate for the non-functional gene.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Curing adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Adenosine deaminase enzyme is crucial for the immune system to function.</li>
<li>This disorder is caused due to the deletion of the gene for adenosine deaminase.</li>
<li>Through gene therapy, lymphocytes from the blood of the patient are grown in a culture outside the body.</li>
<li>A functional ADA cDNA (using a retroviral vector) is then introduced into these lymphocytes, which are subsequently returned to the patient.</li>
<li>However, the patient requires periodic infusion of such genetically engineered lymphocytes.</li>
<li>If the gene isolate from marrow cells producing ADA is introduced into cells at early embryonic stages, it could be a permanent cure.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Molecular Diagnosis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For effective treatment of a disease, early diagnosis and understanding its pathophysiology is very important.</li>
<li>Using conventional methods of diagnosis (serum and urine analysis, etc.) early detection is not possible. Some of the techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recombinant DNA technology,</li>
<li>Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and</li>
<li>Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (ELISA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Presence of a pathogen (bacteria, viruses, etc.) is normally suspected only when the pathogen has produced a disease symptom.</li>
<li>However, the concentration of pathogens is already very high in the body.</li>
<li>With molecular diagnosis, very low concentration of a bacteria or virus can be detected by amplification of their nucleic acid by PCR.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Diagnosis of HIV</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) is now routinely used to detect HIV in suspected AIDS patients.</li>
<li>It is being used to detect mutations in genes in suspected cancer patients too.</li>
<li>PCR is a powerful technique to identify many other genetic disorders.</li>
<li>A single stranded DNA or RNA, tagged with a radioactive molecule (probe) is allowed to hybridise to its complementary DNA in a clone of cells.</li>
<li>It is followed by detection using autoradiography.</li>
<li>The clone having the mutated gene will hence not appear on the photographic film, because the probe will not have complementarity with the mutated gene.</li>
<li>ELISA is based on the principle of antigen-antibody interaction.</li>
<li>Infection by pathogen can be detected by the presence of antigens (proteins, glycoproteins, etc.) or by detecting the antibodies synthesised against the pathogen.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>CRISPR technology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a simple yet powerful tool for editing genomes. It allows researchers to easily alter DNA sequences and modify gene function.</li>
<li>CRISPR-Cas9 was adapted from a naturally occurring genome editing system in bacteria.</li>
<li>The bacteria capture snippets of DNA from invading viruses and use them to create DNA segments known as CRISPR arrays.</li>
<li>The CRISPR arrays allow the bacteria to remember the viruses</li>
<li>If the viruses attack again, the bacteria produce RNA segments from the CRISPR arrays to target the viruses' DNA.</li>
<li>It is being explored in research on a wide variety of diseases, including single-gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, and sickle cell disease</li>
</ul>
<h3>Transgenic Animals</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Animals that have had their DNA manipulated to possess and express an extra (foreign) gene are known as transgenic animals.</li>
<li>Transgenic rats, rabbits, pigs, sheep, cows and fish have been produced, although over 95 per cent of all existing transgenic animals are mice. They have numerous utilities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Normal physiology and development:</strong> Transgenic animals can be specifically designed to allow the study of how genes are regulated, and how they affect the normal functions of the body and its development. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>E.g. study of complex factors involved in growth such as insulin-like growth factor.</li>
<li>By introducing genes from other species that alter the formation of this factor and studying the biological effects that result, information is obtained about the biological role of the factor in the body.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Study of disease:</strong> Many transgenic animals are designed to increase our understanding of how genes contribute to the development of disease. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These are specially made to serve as models for human diseases so that investigation of new treatments for diseases is made possible.</li>
<li>Today transgenic models exist for many human diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer&rsquo;s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biological products:</strong> Medicines required to treat certain human diseases can contain biological products, but such products are often expensive to make. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Transgenic animals that produce useful biological products can be created by the introduction of the portion of DNA.</li>
<li>These DNA codes for a particular product such as human protein (&alpha;-1-antitrypsin) used to treat emphysema.</li>
<li>Similar attempts are being made for treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU) and cystic fibrosis.</li>
<li>In 1997, the first transgenic cow, Rosie, produced human protein-enriched milk.</li>
<li>The milk contained the human alpha-lactalbumin and was nutritionally a more balanced product for human babies than natural cow-milk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vaccine safety:</strong> Transgenic mice are being developed for use in testing the safety of vaccines before they are used on humans. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Transgenic mice are being used to test the safety of the polio vaccine.</li>
<li>If successful and found to be reliable, they could replace the use of monkeys to test the safety of batches of the vaccine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chemical safety testing:</strong> This is known as toxicity/safety testing. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The procedure is the same as that used for testing toxicity of drugs.</li>
<li>Transgenic animals are made that carry genes which make them more sensitive to toxic substances than non-transgenic animals.</li>
<li>They are then exposed to the toxic substances and the effects studied.</li>
<li>Toxicity testing in such animals will allow us to obtain results in less time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Biotechnology in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Department of Biotechnology</strong> manages most of the programmes of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/biotechnology-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>biotechnology sector</strong></a> in India. It is under the <strong>Ministry of Science and Technology</strong> Its objectives are: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To provide services in the areas of research, infrastructure, generation of human resource, popularization of biotechnology, promotion of industries, creation of centers of excellence</li>
<li>Implementation of biosafety guidelines for genetically modified organisms, recombinant DNA products and biotechnology-based programs for societal benefits.</li>
<li>To establish an information network for the <strong>Bioinformatics mission</strong> of India in the scientific community, nationally and internationally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The GEAC functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&amp;CC).</li>
<li>It is responsible for the appraisal of activities involving large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.</li>
<li>The committee is also responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.</li>
<li>GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&amp;CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/society-of-biotechnology-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the Society of Biotechnology of India (SBPI)</strong></a> promoted transformation changes and approaches towards core research in modern biotechnology so that the outcome could lead to more products and technologies for economic and social gain.</li>
<li><strong>The programs undertaken in agriculture</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Wheat Genome Sequencing Programme</li>
<li>Rice Functional Genomics</li>
<li>Crop Biofortification and quality improvement programme</li>
<li>National Plant Gene Repository programme</li>
<li>Next Generation Challenge Programme on Chickpea Genomics,</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Utility in public health and nutrition</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Addressal of micronutrient deficiencies, severe acute malnutrition, food fortification, probiotics for human health and well-being, food safety, molecular detection of GM traits in foods.</li>
<li>Development of low cost foods/supplements and utilization of agricultural residues for value added products.</li>
<li>Capacity building in Food Science and Nutrition Biology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Application of biotechnology could be a major tool for development in all countries. Entwined with culture and socio-ethical values, biotechnology could be utilised in solving future problems like food and water insecurity that impede national development and threaten peace in the developing world.</p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6085,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Aspirin to Prevent Cataract',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists from the <strong>Institute of Nano Science &amp; Technology (INST)</strong> have developed <strong>nanorods from the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Aspirin to prevent cataracts</strong> in an economical and less complicated way.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aspirin</strong> is a popular medication used <strong>to reduce pain, fever, or inflammation</strong> and now it has been found to be an effective non-invasive small molecule-based nanotherapeutics against cataract.</li>
<li>INST is an <strong>autonomous institute</strong> under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Cataract:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596443792_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596443792_image3.png" style="float: right;" width="397" height="238" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a major <strong>form of blindness</strong> that occurs when the <strong>structure of crystallin proteins that make up the lens</strong> in human eyes <strong>deteriorates</strong>.</li>
<li>Such deterioration causes damaged or disorganised proteins to aggregate and forms a milky blue or brown layer, which ultimately <strong>affects lens transparency</strong>.</li>
<li>As with <strong>ageing and under various conditions,</strong> the lens protein crystallin aggregates to form opaque structures in the eye lens, which <strong>impairs vision and causes cataract</strong>.</li>
<li>Thus, <strong>prevention of the formation of these aggregates as well as their destruction</strong> in the early stage of disease progression is a major treatment strategy for cataracts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Usage of Aspirin:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scientists have used the <strong>anti-aggregation ability of self-build aspirin nanorods</strong> as an effective non-invasive small molecule-based nanotherapeutics against cataract.</li>
<li>It <strong>prevents the protein from aggregation</strong> through biomolecular interactions, which convert it into coils and helices and consequently fail to aggregate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Aspirin nanorods due to their <strong>nano-size</strong> are expected to enhance the bioavailability, improve drug loading, lower toxicity, etc.</li>
<li>Hence, <strong>the delivery of the aspirin nanorods as eye drops</strong> is going to serve as an <strong>effective and viable option</strong> to treat cataract non-invasively.</li>
<li>It is <strong>easy to use and a low-cost alternative nonsurgical treatment</strong> method and will benefit patients in developing countries who cannot access expensive cataract treatments and surgeries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1642991#:~:text=A%20team%20of%20scientists%20from,pain%2C%20fever%2C%20or%20inflammation%20and" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6029,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'New Research on Smallpox About its Origins',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a new study carried out by an international team of researchers provides fresh insight into the origins of the <strong>Smallpox disease</strong>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It suggested that the smallpox was in existence as early as during the Viking age in the <strong>8<sup>th</sup> century CE</strong>.</li>
<li>The <strong>Viking Age</strong> was the period during the Middle Ages when the Norsemen (name given to the Scandinavian Vikings) undertook colonizing, conquest and trading throughout <strong>Europe, and reached North America in the 9<sup>th</sup> and 10<sup>th</sup> century</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Smallpox</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> Smallpox is a contagious disease, caused by the Variola Virus (VARV).</li>
<li><strong>Transmission:</strong> It transmits through the droplets released from coughing, sneezing, and face to face contact with an infected person.</li>
<li><strong>Eradication:</strong> One of the deadliest diseases known to mankind, it is also the <strong>only one to have been</strong> eradicated by vaccination. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1980, this was declared as completely eradicated after the global immunization campaign led by the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organization&nbsp;</a></strong>(WHO) with the help of the smallpox vaccine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vaccine:</strong> The first effective vaccine was discovered by <strong>Edward Jenner</strong> in <strong>1796</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Origin:</strong> The <strong>origins of smallpox</strong> have always been unclear. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Until now, the earliest confirmed case of the <strong>disease</strong> was found in the <strong>mummified remains of a 17<sup>th</sup> century Lithuanian child,</strong> even though written records suggest that it is much older.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Findings:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Finding Virus Sequence:</strong> The <strong>Variola virus sequence was recovered</strong> from <strong>13 Northern European</strong> individuals <strong>including 11 dated to 600&ndash;1050 CE,</strong> overlapping the <strong>Viking Age</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Pan European Presence:</strong> These sequences, <strong>combined with early written records of VARV</strong> epidemics in southern and western Europe, suggest <strong>a pan-European presence of smallpox</strong> from the late 6<sup>th</sup> century.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the study, the virus was <strong>circulating among people even earlier,</strong> about 1700 years back at the time when the Western Roman empire declined and people were migrating across Eurasia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Genetic Makeup:</strong> It also suggests that the <strong>genetic makeup of the viral strain recovered from the 11 individuals</strong> is different from the <strong>modern version which was eradicated in 1979-80</strong>.&nbsp;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Viking variant of the virus is part of a previously unknown, and now extinct virus group, or clade.</li>
<li>Both the modern smallpox and the ancient variant descended from a common ancestor but diverged 1700 years ago.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Course of Evolution:</strong> It was suggested as a benign disease (less dangerous) considering that smallpox may have in the past been a mild.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the <strong>course of evolution,</strong> the <strong>active gene count of the virus</strong> is shown to <strong>have reduced due to mutation</strong>.</li>
<li>Therefore, the researchers speculated that <strong>smallpox became more deadly over time</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications of the New Research:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Information about the Viruses:</strong> The results of the study does not have any impact on the current spread of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>. However, it does provide important information on <strong>how a virus may become deadlier over time</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Trace of History:</strong> Nonetheless, it is important to note that smallpox is the <strong>latest among several other diseases whose history in recent years</strong> have been rewritten by ancient DNA analysis.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier, In 2015, a study noted that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/marmots#:~:text=Plague%20is%20caused%20by%20the,inhalation%20of%20infected%20respiratory%20droplets." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>plague</strong></a> that killed millions in medieval Europe can be traced as far back as the Bronze age between 3000 and 1000 BCE.</li>
<li>In 2018, on the other hand, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/controlling-hepatitis-b" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hepatitis B</strong></a> was seen to have origins in the Bronze age as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ways of Spread:</strong> These findings would help to understand the ways in which diseases have affected human populations in the past.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The DNA evidence suggests that diseases such as <strong>plague and hepatitis B</strong> are associated with <strong>major prehistoric migrations</strong> &mdash; something that seems now to be true of variola too.</li>
<li>It would also help to seek answers of whether <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-migrants-and-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>migrations</strong></a> brought the diseases to new areas or the <strong>emergence of disease triggered</strong> people to move.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/smallpox-research-vikings-origins-6526058/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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