Science Affairs Coverage from Jan 2019 to December 2019 Abhimanu ias UDAAN Science and Technology | Udaan by Abhimanu IAS Biotechnology ________________________________________ DNA technolgy (use and application) regulation bill, 2019 Context-Recently a Parliamentary panel headed by congress leader Jairam Ramesh began hearing the contentious DNA technolgy (use and application) regulation bill, 2019 with members grilling officials from the Department of biotechnology on scope for violation of privacy in the proposed DNA data bank. •The DNA technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister for Science and Technology, Mr. Harsh Vardhan, on July 8, 2019. About The DNA technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 •Use of DNA Data: Under the Bill, DNA testing is allowed only in respect of matters listed in the Schedule to the Bill. These include offences under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and for civil matters such as paternity suits. Further, the Schedule includes DNA testing for matters related to establishment of individual identity •Collection of DNA: While preparing a DNA profile, bodily substances of persons may be collected by the investigating authorities. Authorities are required to obtain consent for collection in certain situations. For arrested persons, authorities are required to obtain written consent if the offence carries a punishment of up to seven years. If the offence carries more than seven years of imprisonment or death, consent is not required. Further, if the person is a victim, or relative of a missing person, or a minor or disabled person, the authorities are required to obtain the written consent of such victim, or relative, or parent or guardian of the minor or disabled person. If consent is not given in these cases, the authorities can approach a Magistrate who may order the taking of bodily substances of such persons. •DNA Data Bank: The Bill provides for the establishment of a National DNA Data Bank and Regional DNA Data Banks, for every state, or two or more states. DNA laboratories are required to share DNA data prepared by them with the National and Regional DNA Data Banks. Every Data Bank will be required to maintain indices for the following categories of data: (i) a crime scene index, (ii) a suspects’ or undertrials’ index, (iii) an offenders’ index, (iv) a missing persons’ index, and (v) an unknown deceased persons’ index. •Removal of DNA profiles: The Bill states that the criteria for entry, retention, or removal of the DNA profile will be specified by regulations. However, the Bill provides for removal of the DNA profiles of the following persons: (i) of a suspect if a police report is filed or court order given, (ii) of an undertrial if a court order is given, and (iii) on written request, for persons who are not a suspect, offender or undertrial, from the crime scene or missing persons’ index. www.abhimanuias.com , [email protected] Corporate office: Dainik Bhaskar Building, 2nd Floor, Sector 25-D, Chandigarh Science and Technology | Udaan by Abhimanu IAS •DNA Regulatory Board: The Bill provides for the establishment of a DNA Regulatory Board, which will supervise the DNA Data Banks and DNA laboratories. The Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, will be the ex officio Chairperson of the Board. The Board will comprise additional members including: (i) experts in the field of biological sciences, and (ii) Director General of the National Investigation Agency and the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation. •Functions of the Board: The functions of the Board include: (i) advising governments on all issues related to establishing DNA laboratories or Data Banks, and (ii) granting accreditation to DNA laboratories. Further, the Board is required to ensure that all information relating to DNA profiles with the Data Banks, laboratories, and other persons are kept confidential. •DNA laboratories: Any laboratory undertaking DNA testing is required to obtain accreditation from the Board. The Board may revoke the accreditation for reasons including, failure to: (i) undertake DNA testing, or (ii) comply with the conditions attached to the accreditation. If the accreditation is revoked, an appeal will lie before the central government or any other authority notified by the central government. Further, every DNA laboratory is required to follow standards for quality assurance in collection, storing, and analysis of DNA samples. After depositing the DNA profile for criminal cases, the laboratory is required to return the biological sample to the investigating officer. In all other cases, the sample must be destroyed. •Offences: The Bill specifies penalties for various offences, including: (i) for disclosure of DNA information, or (ii) using DNA sample without authorization. For instance, disclosure of DNA information will be punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and fine of up to one lakh rupees. What is DNA profiling ? • DNA profiling is the process where a specific DNA pattern, called a profile, is obtained from a person or sample of bodily tissue • Even though we are all unique, most of our DNA is actually identical to other people’s DNA. However, specific regions vary highly between people. These regions are called polymorphic. Differences in these variable regions between people are known as polymorphisms. Each of us inherits a unique combination of polymorphisms from our parents. DNA polymorphisms can be analysed to give a DNA profile. • Human DNA profiles can be used to identify the origin of a DNA sample at a crime scene or test for parentage. • In a human, 0.1 per cent of the DNA or genetic material is unique to each individual and this identifying information can be obtained from any cell, including hair and skin DNA profiling is used to: • identify the probable origin of a body fluid sample associated with a crime or crime scene • reveal family relationships • identify disaster victims, for example, ESR scientists travelled to Thailand to help identify victims of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. www.abhimanuias.com , [email protected] Corporate office: Dainik Bhaskar Building, 2nd Floor, Sector 25-D, Chandigarh Science and Technology | Udaan by Abhimanu IAS Controversy regarding Bt Cotton • A group of more than 1,000 farmers gathered in a village in Akola of Maharashtra to sow seeds of an unapproved, genetically modified variety of cotton, defying government regulations. The government is now investigating what was planted. Bt Cotton: • Bt Cotton is developed by Bayer-Monsanto and it involves insertion of two genes viz ‘Cry1Ab’ and ‘Cry2Bc’ from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into cotton seeds. • This modification codes the plant to produce protein toxic to Heliothis bollworm (pink bollworm) thus making it resistant to their attack. The commercial release of this hybrid was sanctioned by the government in 2002. • Bt cotton remains the only GM crop allowed to be cultivated in the country. India and GM Crops: • In India, it is the responsibility of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Environment Ministry to assess the safety of a genetically modified plant, and decide whether it is fit for cultivation. The GEAC comprises experts and government representatives, and a decision it takes has to be approved by the Environment Minister before any crop is allowed for cultivation. • Besides Bt cotton, the GEAC has cleared two other genetically modified crops — brinjal and mustard — but these have not received the consent of the Environment Minister. Concerns: • Genetic changes made in a plant can make it unsafe for consumption, have adverse impacts on human or animal health, or introduce problems in the soil or neighbouring crops. There is an elaborate process of tests and field trials to be followed. Critics of GM technology argue that some traits of genes start expressing themselves only after several generations, and thus one can never be sure about their safety. CCMB scientists sequence Asiatic lion genome Context: For the first time, the entire genome of Asiatic lion has been sequenced by scientists from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad. The objective is to understand the species at DNA level and study if there are any specific problems with regard to adaptability to environment or behaviour vis-à-vis other big cats. Need and significance: This firsthand information would help researchers to better understand the evolution of Asiatic lions and also make possible comparative analysis with other big cats. www.abhimanuias.com , [email protected] Corporate office: Dainik Bhaskar Building, 2nd Floor, Sector 25-D, Chandigarh Science and Technology | Udaan by Abhimanu IAS The genome sequencing would enable scientists to develop specific markers to study population genetics (the differences at the gene level within a population) and get newer insights into its population status and subsequent management. The study will enable better disease and population management of the endangered big cat by identifying characteristics which are specific to Asiatic lions. About Asiatic Lion: • IUCN Red List Status: Endangered • Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, in Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). • At present the only home of Asiatic lion is Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat. • The population of the endangered Asiatic lion is very low — only 523 animals are present in the Gir forests. Project MANAV: Human Atlas Initiative News • For the first time, Indian scientists will be mapping every single tissue of the human body to have deeper understanding of the roles of tissues and cells linked to various diseases. • Department of Biotechnology (DBT) launched MANAV: Human Atlas Initiative towards improving knowledge on human physiology. MANAV: Human Atlas Initiative • It is a project funded by DBT, which aims at creating a database network of all tissues in the human body from the available scientific literature. • It is a project that involves scientific skill development for annotation, science outreach along with handling big data.