The third patient is cured of HIV: How did this happen and what are its implications?

GS Paper  3 Syllabus: Science and Technology: Biotechnology    Source: Indian Express, Nature   Context: The man referred to as the “Dusseldorf patient” became the third person to have been “cured of HIV” after a bone marrow transplant carrying a specific HIV-resistant – CCR5 delta 32 genetic mutation.   What is CCR5 mutation and how …

CRISPR

GS Paper  3 Syllabus: Biotechnology   Source: Indian Express  Direction: Biotechnology is one of the favourites for UPSC mains as well as prelims. CRISPR has reached a decade of development this year. Those giving mains this time, plz don’t ignore this topic.  Context: Over the last 3 years, gene-editing technology with nearly unlimited potential has …

Genomics

 GSPaper-3 Syllabus: Science and Technology   Source: WHO Context: WHO’s Science Council launches report calling for an equitable expansion of genomics. (This article is in continuation of the previous one on CRISPR Gene editing) Genomics is the study of the complete set of DNA (including all of its genes) in a person or other organism. A …

10 years of CRISPR Gene editing

GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Science and Technology- Biotech   Source: Time Context: 10 years back in 2012, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier published their finding that CRISPR-Cas9 could be programmed with RNA to edit genomic DNA, now considered one of the most significant discoveries in the history of biology. CRISPR-Cas9: Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats Associated protein 9 CRISPR …

Norms eased for genetically modified crop research:

GS Paper 3: Syllabus: Biotechnology.   Context: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has issued guidelines easing norms for research into genetically modified (GM) crops and circumventing challenges of using foreign genes to change crops profile. These guidelines are applicable to all public/private organisations involved in research, development and handling of Gene Edited Plants   Overview …

Self-replicating mRNA Covid-19 vaccines:

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Developments in Science and Technology.   Context: A California based pharmaceutical company has developed ARCT-154, a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine against Covid-19 infection.   Benefits: It offered 95% protection against severe Covid-19 and 55% against Covid infection.   What are mRNA vaccines? An mRNA vaccine use messenger RNA that encodes the …

What is gene therapy? Examine the scope and concerns associated with this novel technology.

Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. 5. What is gene therapy? Examine the scope and concerns associated with this novel technology. (250 words) Difficulty level: Easy Reference: Insights on India Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of …

Biotechnology can be a means to fight hunger and disease, reduce environmental contaminants, and minimize the ecological footprint. Elaborate.

Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. 6. Biotechnology can be a means to fight hunger and disease, reduce environmental contaminants, and minimize the ecological footprint. Elaborate. (250 words) Difficulty level: Easy Reference: Insights on India Why the question: The question is part …

mRNA vaccine technology:

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Biotechnology related issues.   Context: Vaccine maker Biological E. has been selected to receive mRNA technology from the World Health Organization technology transfer hub.   WHO’s technology transfer hub: Primarily set up to address the Covid-19 emergency, WHO’s technology transfer hub has the potential to expand manufacturing capacity for other products …

Omicron- a new variant:

GS Paper 2: Topics Covered: Issues related to Health.   Context: The new variant B 1.1. 529, which was designated as a ‘Variant of Concern’ by World Health Organisation has been assigned the name Omicron. Reported by public health officials of South Africa, the new variant has triggered a lot of concern worldwide over a probable …

Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG):

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Biotechnology related issues.   Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG): Context: INSACOG led team has traced a total of 108 mutations of the SARS-Cov-2, which include four novel mutations in India, in the wastewater samples collected from Pune city between December 2020 and April 2021. How important is it for countries …

Compare Gene editing with that of Genetic modification. Discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with Genetic modification in crops.

Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. 6. Compare Gene editing with that of Genetic modification. Discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with Genetic modification in crops. (250 words) Difficulty level: Easy Reference: The Hindu Why the question: Scientists at the Indian …

India’s coronavirus genome sequencing system

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Issues related to biotechnology.   Context: Novel Coronavirus Sequencing and analysis has declined sharply in India. The number of coronavirus samples sequenced and analysed in India has dropped. India formed the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG), a consortium of genome sequencing labs, in December 2020. While announcing INSACOG, the …

GM soya cake imports

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.   Context: With rising soyabean prices escalating the poultry industry’s costs, the Centre has allowed the import of 1.2 million metric tonnes of crushed and de-oiled genetically modified (GM) soya cake till October 31, 2021.   Need for: Soyabean meal is an essential …

World’s second-largest refurbished gene bank at New Delhi:

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Biotechnology related issues.   Context: The world’s second-largest refurbished state-of-the-art National Gene Bank was inaugurated recently at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Pusa, New Delhi.   What are Gene Banks? People save money in banks, in case of an emergency. Genetic banks serve a similar purpose for farmers …

Import of crushed genetically modified (GM) soybean allowed:

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.   Context: The Union government has decided to allow the import of crushed genetically modified (GM) soybean, which is a major ingredient of poultry feed.   What necessitated this move? The poultry industry has been crushed by multiple disasters over the last year …