Biotechnology & Medical

Context: Government has allowed genome-edited plants without the cumbersome GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) regulation at the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). What is Genome Editing? Genome editing (also called gene editing) is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA. These technologies allow genetic material to be added, removed, or altered …

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What is a GM crop? Genetically Modified(GM) Crop involves the editing of genes of a crop in such a way that it incorporates beneficial traits from another crop or organism. This could mean changing the way the plant grows, or making it resistant to a particular disease. GM Crops in India: Bt cotton is the only GM crop that …

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Context: Neglect of Science education on disease control and health is one of the main reasons for the current Covid crisis in India. How Science Education can help in controlling the spread of disease? Many waterborne diseases in India could be prevented if children are taught the science behind the origin and causes of the …

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Context: India’s poultry farms are spawning global superbugs by giving medicines to the birds to protect them against diseases or to make them gain weight faster so more can be grown each year at greater profit. One drug typically given this way is colistin. Researchers who tested meat from supermarkets in the country in 2014 …

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Department-related parliamentary standing committee on science and technology and environment and forest in its 301st report on “GM crop and its impact on environment”. Parliamentary Standing Committee Report: The Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended that no genetically modified (GM) crop should be introduced unless the biosafety and socio-economic desirability is evaluated in a transparent process. …

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With an aim to curb antibiotic resistance, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revised the protocol for antibiotics. Protocol: WHO has divided the drugs into three categories: Access,Watch andReserve. It has also specified which category of drugs are to be used  for treating common ailments and which are to be used to treat complicated diseases. Access Category: As …

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Telemedicine is the use of telecommunications and information technology to provide clinical healthcare at a distance. Opportunities for telemedicine Telemedicine is helpful for people living in rural areas. This is very crucial for India, since 70% of the population lives in rural areas. Telemedicine helps overcome the shortage of health professionals. India currently has only …

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Utility: Direct question can be asked on this topic due to COVID. Synthetic biology: Synthetic biology refers to the science of using genetic sequencing, editing, and modification to create unnatural organisms or organic molecules that can function in living systems. Synthetic biology enables scientists to design and synthesise new sequences of DNA from scratch. Facts: In 2014, the …

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Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program is the state-run tuberculosis control initiative of the Government of India. RNTCP incorporates the principles of directly observed treatment-short course (DOTS). DOTS is a systematic strategy which has five components: Political and administrative commitment: Since TB can be cured and the epidemic reversed, it warrants the topmost priority, which has …

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