[Mission 2023] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 31 March 2023

NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same

General Studies – 1

Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

1. The Vaikom Satyagraha was a significant moment in the Indian independence movement, as it highlighted the injustices of the caste system and the need for social reform. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The Vaikom temple street entry movement in Kerala, with a resonance in Tamil Nadu, is a struggle that set India on the path of equality and justice for all.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the significance of Vaikom Satyagraha.

Directive word:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by giving context.

Body:

Write about the Vaikom Satyagraha – peaceful civil rights movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, aimed to challenge the practice of untouchability, committed to nonviolence and were able to overcome the opposition through their peaceful protests and demonstrations.

Next, write about the significance of the above and its legacy.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Introduction

Vaikom Satyagraha was the first organised agitation in Kerala against orthodoxy which took place in 1924. It was a first organised movement against untouchability in India. The Satyagraha aimed at securing freedom of movement for all sections of society through the public roads leading to the Sri Mahadevar Temple at Vaikom. Agitation was borne out of the extreme injustice done to Dalits.

Body

About Vaikom Satyagraha

• It occupies a major position in the renaissance movement in Kerala.
• It was triggered in the Kakinada Congress meeting in 1923, TK Madhavan presented a report on the discrimination in Kerala and the plights of backward Hindus.
• The meeting decided to promote movements against untouchability.

Significance of Vaikom Satyagraha

• It paved the way for the Temple Entry Proclamation of the Travancore government, symbolised a movement for justice and equality across the country during the freedom struggle.
• Gandhi and Congress involvement:-
  • The issue at Vaikom needed handling at a higher and wider level. Instead of being just a fight for gaining access to road, Panikkar suggested making it a symbolic battle against atrocities in the name of caste, giving it a national and cosmopolitan look to gain the attention of the entire world.
  • The Congress along with Gandhi  agreed to include the eradication of untouchability in their constructive programs and resolved to lend full support to the Vaikom Movement.
• Widespread support:-
  • All newspapers in India flashed headlines about the Satyagraha. Money flowed from different states to Vaikom.
  • The Akalis of Punjab came to Vaikom to open a free kitchen for the Satyagrahis.
  • Non-Hindus came forward to offer Satyagraha. But Gandhiji did not accept any of these.
• This was the first time that an organised movement was being conducted on such a large scale for the civil rights of the untouchables and other backward castes in Kerala.
• The Vaikom Satyagraha was not an agitation for political freedom, it was a movement to purify the Hindu society of its blemishes, and this was what Narayana Guru also attempted through his actions and messages.

Impact of Vaikom Satyagraha

• Gandhi’s non-violent weapon of Satyagraha had been evolved from agitations such as Vaikom.
  • Vaikom Satyagraha was a testing ground for the Gandhian principles of Satyagraha. It was tested and proved as the most effective means for the first time.
• It became a key event in the civil rights movements during the freedom struggle.
• It was cosmopolitan in characterand people from various religious communities, castes and provinces took part in it.
• It heralded the mass participation of women in public action. The struggle helped to define the later social identity of Kerala.
• In 1925, all except the eastern gate of the temple was opened to all Hindus.
• In 1928, another royal proclamation gave backward castes the right to walk on public roads leading to all temples in Travancore.
• This movement was a watershed in the history of emancipation of the depressed classes especially in Kerala.
• It instilled rationality among the masses.
• Another achievement of Vaikom agitation is certainly communal harmony. Progressive minded Savarnas and Avarnas came together with Christians, Muslims and even Sikhs. It is to be remembered that many Savarnas played the role of active leaders, till the withdrawal of the Satyagraha, and this has demonstrated the basic unity of the people.
• The streets in the temple area were opened to Harijans or Untouchables. In 1936, they were allowed to enter the temple. The Satyagraha paved the way for subsequent Temple Entry Act.

Conclusion

This was the primary time that an organized movement was being conducted on such a huge scale for the essential rights of the untouchables and other backward castes in Kerala. Vaikom Satyagraha became a primary struggle for human rights in India and became a laboratory for testing important methods like Satyagrahas.

The Kerala government has now decided to commemorate the movement by organizing various cultural events. Vaikom is a symbol of social justice and symbolizes the eradication of caste barriers.

Topic: Role of women and women’s organization

2. Achieving social justice and promoting economic growth for the nation both hinge on closing the gender pay gap. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India

Why the question:

The article argues that despite the increasing number of reports on gender pay disparity, they alone are not sufficient in addressing the issue. It emphasizes the need for organizations to take concrete action in ensuring pay equity, including the implementation of standardized salary structures and the incorporation of diversity and inclusion measures in the workplace.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the current gender wage gap scenario prevalent in India. One has to address the question by listing out the various associated causes and suggest suitable measures to overcome them.

Directive word:

Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Start by highlighting the alarming issue of the Gender wage gap.

Body:

First, write about the factors leading to gender gap viz. – The primary industries in the state and the opportunities they create; Demographics such as race/ethnicity, age, and education level; Regional differences in attitudes and beliefs about work and gender; and Differences in the scope and strength of state pay discrimination laws and policies. Facts and reports suggesting the prevalence of it.

Next, suggest what needs to be done to overcome it. – policy actions, government efforts, awareness, education for women, state-led facilitation for equal pay etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

India is among the most important countries when it comes to the global economic growth and structural transformation story. However, asymmetries still abound in the country’s labour market. India had slid 28 spots to rank at 140 among 156 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap index 2021. The pandemic causing a disproportionate impact on women jeopardises rolling back the little progress made in the last decades—forcing more women to drop off the workforce and leaving them vulnerable to domestic violence.

Body

Gender gap in India:

• Women earned less: Indian women earned, on an average, 48% less compared to their male counterparts in 1993-94.
• National Sample Survey Office (NSSO):The gap declined to 28% in 2018-19.
• Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2020-21:The pandemic reversed the progress and showed an increase in the gap by 7% between 2018-19 and 2020-21.

Gender dap and discrimination

• High gender divide: The gender gap in the country has widened, with only 62.5% of it closedand especially low gender parity in political empowerment and economic participation and opportunity.
• Wage gap:Women are paid considerably less than men, with some research showing that the gender pay gap between women and men in the same jobs with equivalent qualifications can be as much as 34%.
• Labour force participation:India, as of 2020, has the lowest female labour force participation rate among South Asian nations, with four out of five women neither working nor looking for jobs.
• High Job loss:According to Oxfam, 17 million women in India lost their jobs in April 2020, with their unemployment rate rising far higher than that among men.
• Lesser opportunities for women:Women were found to be seven times more likely to lose their jobs during the lockdown phases, and if rendered unemployed, were 11 times more likely to remain jobless than their male counterparts.
• Uneven domestic responsibility: Potential reasons for this include the increased burden of domestic responsibilitiesthat Indian women typically had to bear, in terms of not just household chores but extra time needed for elderly care and children’s studies, with schools shut.
• Even pre-pandemic,a Time Use Survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office showed that women spent nearly 4.5 hours on childcare and other care-giving responsibilities, in contrast with the meagre 0.88 hours for men.

Measures to overcome gender gap

• Behavioral Nudge:For instance, by using taxes to incentivize fairly sharing child-care responsibilities, or by encouraging women and girls to enter traditionally male-dominated sectors such as the armed forces and information technology. , Supreme Court in India declared that women could now hold commanding positions in Army.
  • Paternity leaves for men, to share the responsibility of child rearing.
  • Incentivizing companies to employ women, and reach 50% target.
• Strong laws and policies wrt equal pay for equal work, maternity benefits are needed to promote women’s representation in economy.
• Maternity and paternity: . An amendment to the Act in 2017 increasedpaid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks. Though well-meaning, this unfortunately fortifies notions of care-giving being primarily the onus of the woman, and thus reinforces and raises the risk of women being subject to the motherhood penalty.
  • An explicit law for mandatory paternity benefitswill go a long way towards equalizing gender roles and reducing employer bias
• Better work conditions:The provision and strengthening of childcare facilities for working mothers are very important.
  • The Maternity Benefit Act mandates the setting up of creche facilities for organizations with over 50 employees.
  • A better policy measure would be to provide mothers in need of childcare with a monthly allowance. This will also help mothers working from home.
• Political Representation:India has provided 33% reservation for women in the Panchayats and Local Bodies. Capacity Building and training can increase their capabilities further.

Conclusion

Gender equality is a human right which entitles all persons irrespective of their gender to live with dignity and with freedom. Gender equality is also a precondition for development and reducing of poverty. Gender shouldn’t be an unreasonable determining factor curbing the potential of women.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

4. The 30×30 initiative can play a vital role in protecting the planet’s ecosystems and biodiversity for future generations. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the role of forests and grasslands in carbon storage and potential of 30×30 initiative.

Directive:

Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving context.

Body:

First, write about role of forests and grasslands as carbon sink – Forests are an important carbon sink, as both trees and forest soil are able store large amount of carbon for a long time. Cite examples to substantiate.

Next, write the about aims and objectives of 30×30 initiative, its features and its potential in conserving and protecting earth’s land and sea.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

The 30×30 target implies protection of at least 30 % the of world’s land and ocean by 2030. The 30×30 target is a global target that aims to halt the accelerating loss of species and protect vital ecosystems that are the source of our economic security.

High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People was formed in 2021 to promote an international agreement on 30×30 target. India officially joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People in 2021.  India has proposed to establish Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute (SCORI) to meet the needs and aspirations of the Pacific Island Countries (PIC).

Body

Protecting forests and grasslands can help slow climate change by promoting carbon storage in soil and plants

• Grasslands, wetlands, forests and other ecosystems naturally absorb and store carbon.
• Studies have shown that protecting and preserving these features of the natural world could allow for the annual absorption of one-fifth of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions – the equivalent to emissions from all U.S. vehicles.
• Tall grasses and prairie plants, and these landscapes are well-known for their ability to absorb and store carbon in roots and soil.
• Maintaining grasslands near agricultural fields can boost crop production because grasslands promote biodiversity, support pollinators and host predators that can help suppress potential pests. They also help improve biodiversity, soil health and water quality.
• Forest not only have a role in maintaining biodiversity but also their ability to fix large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and thereby mitigate climate change.
• Forest cover also alter hydrological cycles (reduce stream flow), decrease albedo (a measure of solar radiation reflected from the earth’s surface) which can contribute to warming, and lead to loss of unique biodiversity.

Potential of 30×30 initiative

• In order to address both the biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis, there is growing scientific research that half of the planet must be kept in a natural state. Some papers have suggested that the number should be even higher, and some have suggested slightly lower.
• Despite this, experts agree that a scientifically credible and necessary interim goal is to achieve a minimum of 30 per cent protection by 2030.
• There is a wealth of scientific data documenting the need for increased spatial targets in order to help achieve goals related to biodiversity conservation, which help justify the 30×30 target both at a global level and a regional level.
• When the Aichi Targets were established in 2010, roughly 13 per cent of the world’s terrestrial areas were protected while very few protections existed in the ocean.
• Currently, an estimated 15 per cent of the world’s land and 7 per cent of the ocean are protected. In order to achieve the goal of protecting at least 30 per cent by 2030, we will need to double the current land protections and more than quadruple current ocean protections.

Way forward

• First, protected areas should meet both conservation needs and human needs.
• Second, in creating newly protected areas, researchers and managers should consider how they will interact with adjacent areas.
• Third, researchers and officials should assess how newly protected areas will interact with areas far away — including in other countries.
• We should be guided by a metacoupling framework, which is an integrated way to study and manage human-nature interactions within and between different places.
• It recognizes that human and natural systems in a given place can be affected for better or worse by people, policies and markets both nearby and far away.

Value addition

30 X 30 target

• In the spirit of Stockholm+50, to build on 50 years of multilateral environmental action to achieve the urgent action needed to secure a healthy planet, the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People is taking concrete steps towards moving into a new phase to support implementation of the global goal to protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s land and at least 30 per cent of the world’s ocean by 2030.
• The 30×30 target is a global target, which aims to halt the accelerating loss of species, and protect vital ecosystems that are the source of our economic security. 
• The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which is now supported by nearly 100 countries, is evolving into a new phase to support implementation of the global goal.
• The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People was officially launched in January 2021 at the One Planet Summit (OPS) on biodiversity. The coalition is currently co-chaired by France and Costa Rica, with the United Kingdom as ocean co-chair.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

5. What makes the Montreal Protocol the most effective international agreement on climate, and how well has India executed its obligations under the treaty? Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate           

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the reasons which makes the Montreal protocol as success and India’s performance with respect to it.

Directive word:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin the answer by writing about the Vienna Convention and subsequent Montreal Protocol.

Body:

In the first part, write the reasons which make Montreal protocol most successful global climate treaty – negotiations, funds, universal ratification, clear articulation and innovation in substitutes etc.

Next, write about the India’s performance – phasing out Chlorofluorocarbon, Ratifying Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) etc. Cite stats with respect to India’s performance and mention its shortcomings.

Conclusion:

Suggest a way forward to completely phase out Ozone depleting substances.

Introduction

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is the landmark multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 ozone depleting substances (ODS). The Montreal Protocol sits under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. It phases down the consumption and production of the different ODS in a step-wise manner, with different timetables for developed and developing countries. Developing and developed countries have equal but differentiated responsibilities, but most importantly, both groups of countries have binding, time-targeted and measurable commitments.

Body

Montreal protocol: the most successful global climate treaty

• The Montreal Protocol mandated the complete phase-out of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS), which it has successfully managed to do in the last three decades.
• The protocol was adopted in 1987, becoming the only United Nations treaty to be ratified by its 198 member-states.
• This effort has led to the healing of the ozone layer hole which, in turn, protects humans, economies, and ecosystems.
• Researchers believe that the size of the ozone hole has shrunk by around 4 million sq. km since 2000 and is not as deep as it used to be, thanks to the collective efforts of nations to cut the use of chlorofluorocarbons and other dangerous gases.
• The Montreal Protocol offers a model of a successful environmental treaty that brought nations together to act swiftly on protecting the ozone layer.
• In 2016, Nations that were party to the protocol got together in Kigali, Rwanda, to discuss the phasing down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as the next step towards addressing ozone depletion, also necessary to curb global warming.
• Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol came into effect in 2019.

India’s performance in implementing the Montreal Protocol

• Comprehensive Ozone   Depleting   Substances (Regulation   and   Control)   Rules,   2000   were developed   and   put   in   place   under   the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, which were utmost     important     for     the     successful implementation   of   ODS   phase-out   in   a   vast country like India.
• The unique feature  of  these  Rules  was  banning  the  use  of CFCs   and   halons   in   manufacturing   of   new equipment  as  early  as  from  1st  January,
• This has  not  only  achieved  the  early  phase-out of  CFCs  and  halons  in  the  country,  but  also reduced the inventory of ODS based equipment which   resulted   in   reduction   of   servicing requirements.
• India phased-out of  production  and  consumption    of  virgin halons   as   early   as   2002,   being   high-ODP chemicals.
• India accelerated  the  phase-out  of  production and  consumption  of  CFCs  with  effect  from  1^st August, 2008, 17 months ahead of the Montreal Protocol schedule except use of pharmaceutical grade CFCs in manufacturing of MDIs for Asthma, COPD and other respiratory ailments within the country.
• The phase-out  of  ODSs  in  MSMEs,  which  were widely   scattered   were   handled   using   an innovative  approach,  realizing  that  MSMEs  are having   relatively   a   large   share   in   Indian economy.
• India successfully met the 2013 target of freeze of HCFC production and consumption and 10 % phase-out targets  of  HCFCs  in  2015,  as  per  the accelerated phase out schedule of the Montreal Protocol.
• India has  voluntarily  followed  a  low  carbon development   path   in   HPMP   Stage
• India is  the  first  country  in  world  to  develop  a Cooling  Action  Plan,  which  addresses  cooling requirement across sectors and lists out actions which  can  help  reduce  the  cooling  demand and to   reduce   both direct and indirect emissions.

Conclusion

India,   during   the   last   30 years  has  made  outstanding  contributions  for the  protection  of  ozone  layer. To add to its efforts, the Union Government recently approved the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on phasing down climate-damaging refrigerant Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Topic: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges

6. The dissemination of rumours via fabricated and fake news has the potential to generate significant social unrest within a nation and present a threat to its internal security. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India

Why the question:

The article warns against the dangers of fake news, which can spread quickly through social media and cause harm to individuals and society.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the threats posed by disinformation and ways to tackle it.

Directive:

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving the context of spread of misinformation in the digital age.

Body:

First, write about the various political, economic and social consequences of the spread of misinformation and fake news. Substantiate with examples.

Next, write about how the above can compromise national security.

Next, write about the measures that are needed to tackle the above.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

The world has been battling a deluge of misinformation and influence operations for a long time now. The advent of internet, social media platforms and real time messengers has given a free run to criminals, miscreants, nation states and other motivated actors. In fact, society, today is experiencing something called an ‘information disorder’ where it has become extremely difficult to disambiguate truth from falsehood.

Terming lack of patience and tolerance biggest challenge of our age, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has said that truth is a victim in an age of false news.

Body

Consequences of spreading fake news

• Fake news with malicious intent : Manipulation through the social media allegedly spurred the mass exodus of north east Indians in Bangalore in 2012.
• Spread hatred and mistrust:False information propagated through fake news have helped people developing racist and xenophobic sentiments against people of Asian origin around the world, as we saw in the case of Corona epidemic. Such messages can often be a means of reinforcing existing prejudices.
• Fake news is created to deliberately misinform or deceive readers. Usually, these stories are created to either influence people’s views, push a political agenda or cause confusion and can often be a profitable business for online publishers. Ex: Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013: fake video fuelled communal passions.
• Social media has led to a dislocation of politicswith people weighing in on abstractions online while being disengaged from their immediate surroundings.
  • Social media has led to a degradation of our political discourse where serious engagement has been supplanted by “hot takes” and memes.
  • It has obscured the providence of consequential interventions in our political discourse because of opacity in technology.
• Misinformation and disinformation spread in media is becoming a serious social challenge. It is leading to the poisonous atmosphere on the web and causing riots and lynching on the road.
• Platforms for harmful conspiracy theories and hate speech
  • Spread of false or discredited science – e.g. anti-vax movement
• In the age of the internet (WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter,) it is a serious problem as rumours, morphed images, click-baits, motivated stories, unverified information, planted stories for various interests spread easily among 35 crore internet users in India.
• Violence :There have been many instances of online rumours leading tokillings of innocent people. In some cases, ministers have deleted tweets after realizing the fake news which they shared earlier.
• Fake news has also been used to deceive illiterate people financially. Example- Chit fund schemes introduced the concept of online fraud through spam emails.
• Fake news has reduced people’s belief in social, print and electronic media = affect the benefits of these media.

Measures needed to curb fake news

• The current response to fake news primarily revolves around three prongs— rebuttal, removal of the fake news item and educating the public.
  • Rebuttal:It is a form of fact-checking wherein the fake news is debunked by pointing out errors like mismatch, malicious editing and misattribution.
  • Removal of Fake news:Technical companies like Facebook and YouTube uses algorithms to proactively remove fake news from their platforms.
  • Also, WhatsApp has put a limit on forwarding messages, so as to limit the spread to fake news.
• Education and Awareness: The government must take the initiative to make all sections of the population aware of the realities of this information war and evolve a consensus to fight this war. Itmust also take strict action against the fake news providers.
  • Ex: Italy has experimentally added ‘recognizing fake news’ in school syllabus. India should also seriously emphasize cybersecurity, internet education, fake news education in the academic curriculum at all levels.
• Strict Regulation: News being spread using chatbots and other automated pieces of software should automatically be selected for special screening.
• Bring out policy-: The government should bring out a draft seeking opinion from stakeholders regarding issues of controlling fake news.Any future guidelines on ‘fake news’ should target ‘fake news’ and not try to regulate media in the name of ‘fake news’.
• Regulatory mechanism:The PCI needs to be reformed and empowered in a way so as to enable it tostrike a balance between the freedom of media and speech on the one hand, and right to know on the other.
• Government should have independent agency: to verify the data being circulated in social and other media. The agency should be tasked with presenting real facts and figures.
• An ombudsman Institution:To receive complaints on fake news and initiate immediate action.
• Accountability of Social Media:Social media websites should be made accountable of such activities so that it becomes their responsibility to have better control over the spread of fake news.
• Using Artificial Intelligence: The artificial intelligence technologies, particularly machine learning and natural language processing, might be leveraged to combat the fake news problem. AI technologies hold promise for significantly automating parts of the procedure human fact checkers use today to determine if a story is real or a hoax.

 Conclusion

Fake news affects free speech and informed choices of citizens of the country, leading to the hijacking of democracy. Hence it is extremely important that there is a collective effort from all the stake holders involved to tackle this menace comprehensively.

Value addition

Laws and Regulation to Curb Fake News in India:

• Press Council of India:It is a regulatory body which can warn, admonish or censure the newspaper, the news agency, the editor or the journalist or disapprove the conduct of the editor or the journalist if it finds that a newspaper or a news agency has violated journalistic ethics.
• News Broadcasters Association:It represents the private television news and current affairs broadcasters. The self-regulatory body probes complaints against electronic media.
• Indian Broadcast Foundation:It looks into the complaints against contents aired by channels.
• Broadcasting Content Complaint Council: It admits complaints against TV broadcasters for objectionable TV content and fake news.
• Indian Penal Code:Section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and Section 295 (injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) can be invoked to guard against fake news.
• Information Technology Act 2000: According to the Section 66 of the act, if any person, dishonestly or fraudulently, does any act referred to in Section 43 (damage to computer, computer system), shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees or with both.
• Civil or Criminal Case for Defamation:It is another resort against fake news for individuals and groups hurt by the fake news. IPC Section 499 (defamation) and Section 500 (whoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both) provide for a defamation suit.
• Fake news has existed since the dawn of the printing press but in the age of the internet and social media, it has found a tremendous application.Manipulation of algorithms of social media and search engines is a global trend now.
• Misinformation and disinformation spread in the media is becoming a serious social challenge.It is leading to the poisonous atmosphere on the web and causing riots and lynching on the road.

Topic: Case Study.

7. In Mumbai, a family with a history of sickle cell anemia has successfully used the concept of saviour siblings to cure their eldest daughter. Seven-year-old Baby had been receiving frequent blood transfusions and was in need of a bone marrow transplant to survive. Her parents, with the help of assisted reproductive technology, underwent pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to conceive a child that could serve as a donor for Baby.

Their third child, Munna, was born with the same genetic makeup as Baby, but without the sickle cell anemia gene. At six months old, Munna underwent a successful bone marrow transplant, and Baby has been thriving ever since.

The use of saviour siblings has garnered mixed reactions from the public, with some praising the technology for saving lives, while others question the ethics of conceiving a child solely for the purpose of serving as a donor. Despite the debate, IVF specialists argue that when used for single-gene diseases like sickle cell anemia, the pre-implantation genetic diagnosis technique is ethical and legal.

This successful case has given hope to other families struggling with genetic diseases, and has sparked discussions on the potential for this technology to cure a wide range of genetic disorders.

1. 1. Analyse the ethical issues involved in the concept of ‘saviour sibling’?
   2. Would this set a precedent for selecting certain babies having desirable traits?
   3. What should be the way forward with respect to ‘saviour sibling’ as a medical technology?

(Answer in 250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate.

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Case Study Fridays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by explaining the importance of saving lives via transplantations and in this context explain the concept of saviour sibling.

Body:

1. Write about the ethical issues involved. Discarded embryos, sex-selective process, autonomy of the saviour sibling, legal challenges, a treatment only rich can afford etc.
2. Write about the similarities in the process of saviour sibling and selecting certain babies having desirable traits. Bring outs its ramifications.
3. Write a way forward for its regulation, prevent its misuse etc.

Conclusion:

Pass a judgement on the ethicality of the concept of saviour sibling.

Introduction

‘Saviour Sibling’ refers to babies that are created to serve an older sibling as a donor of organs, bone marrow or cells. Stem cells from the umbilical cord blood or blood of the saviour sibling are used for treatment of serious blood disorders like thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia. They are created with In vitro fertilisation (IVF) so that they can undergo pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (or testing) to rule out any genetic disorders and also check bone marrow compatibility.

Body

ethical issues involved in the concept of ‘saviour sibling’

• The saviour sibling is treated as a mere tool to treat its ailing elder sibling
• Exploiting a person as a mere tool to achieve one’s goal is unethical
• the deliberate creation of saviour siblings is that to do so would be to step onto a slippery slope towards allowing “designer babies”.
• It has been contended that a saviour sibling may suffer psychological harm if he/she discovers that he was conceived solely or partly to be a donor for his ailing sibling
• Parents taking the decision on behalf of child
• In a family where a child is conceived to be a donor for a sibling, parents could face an intense conflict of interest and commitment.
• The transplantation is intended for the benefit of the ailing child, but this will inevitably subject the healthy saviour sibling to the risk of HSC donation, which includes bodily pain.
• As a minor is legally incompetent to consent to any donation, the decision has to be made by the parents.
• It is impossible for parents to make an impartial decision in this type of circumstance.
• Given the underlying impetus for creating a savour sibling, parents are likely to prioritise the immediate interests of the sick child and in doing so may compromise on the interests of the saviour sibling
• Embryo screening technology may lead to distributive justice concerns due to its relatively high costs

Would this set a precedent for selecting certain babies having desirable traits ?

Yes

• Parents who seek to conceive a saviour sibling for their existing ill child might be said to have a wrong procreative motive in that the saviour sibling is conceived for instrumental reason, which is to be a donor for their ailing child.
• It has also been contended that when parents conceive a child to save another sick child, they violate the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence in medical ethics as there is no medical benefit for the saviour sibling, but at the same time, there could be risk in the procedure.
• There are concerns that the saviour sibling will only be valued and loved conditionally as its value lies in being a means to cure its sick sibling.
• According to this line of argument, the conception of saviour siblings infringes Immanuel Kant’s second formulation of the categorical imperative (practical law), which requires every rational being to exist as an end in itself and never be used merely as a means.
• In this context, the saviour sibling is treated as a mere tool to treat its ailing elder sibling.

No

• The move would help to balance a family or provide a playmate for an existing child.
• Parents in these situations are not condemned for their procreative motives
• A saviour sibling is not instrumentalised as long as the parents value and love him for his own sake.
• The fact that the parents are willing to make tremendous effort to conceive another child to cure their existing sick child is likely to indicate that they are dedicated to the welfare of their children and they are likely to love the donor child for his own sake

Way forward

• Clear legislation should be enacted to prevent any misuse of the technology and to safeguard the interest of the potential users as well as the future child.
• There should also be some measures to avoid any widening of social disparities between those families which can afford to access the service and those which are incapable of doing so.
• Develop rigorous internationally accepted scientific protocols as well as clear ethical norms and

practices.

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