17-Oct-2023-Daily-Current-Affairs

SUPREME COURT REFUSES TO PERMIT MARRIED WOMAN TO TERMINATE HER OVER 26-WEEK PREGNANCY

GS 2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The Supreme Court of India recently declined a plea by a married woman to terminate her pregnancy, which had progressed beyond 26 weeks. The Court’s decision was based on the absence of abnormalities in the fetus and multiple reports from the AIIMS medical board, which confirmed that the pregnancy did not pose an immediate danger to the life of the woman or the fetus.

Key Points:

• Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act: The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, specifically Section 5, allows for pregnancy termination if it is “immediately necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman.” However, the Supreme Court clarified that the term ‘life’ in this provision should not be broadly interpreted as in Article 21 of the Constitution, which upholds an individual’s fundamental right to a dignified and meaningful life. In the context of Section 5, ‘life’ refers to situations where a woman’s very existence is at risk if she continues the pregnancy.

• Concern for Unborn Child: The Court’s deliberations extended beyond the rights of the pregnant woman to encompass the rights and well-being of the unborn child. It considered the health and future prospects of the fetus when making its decision.
• Legal Arguments: The woman’s counsel argued that she was unable to carry, deliver, or raise a child due to physical, emotional, mental, financial, and medical constraints, including suffering from postpartum depression after the birth of her second child.
• Government’s Position: The government, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, pointed to medical reports indicating a healthy fetus with no abnormalities. The woman’s pregnancy had also exceeded the abortion limit of 24 weeks under the Act. He emphasized that the decision had shifted from a choice between pro-life and pro-choice to a choice between a pre-term or full-term delivery, with a full-term delivery providing the child with a healthier chance of survival.
• Alternative Medication: The Court noted that the medication the woman had taken for her mental condition did not harm the fetus, and the AIIMS Board had prescribed alternative medicine to mitigate any risk.

Conclusion:

The Supreme Court’s decision, rooted in the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and concerns for both the woman and the unborn child, sets an important precedent. It underscores the importance of careful consideration of the specific circumstances in such cases, taking into account the health and viability of the fetus and the well-being of the mother.

THE INDIAN HIMALAYAN REGION NEEDS ITS OWN EIA

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The recent Teesta dam breach in Sikkim and the devastating floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh highlight the severe environmental toll of India’s current development model, particularly in ecologically sensitive mountain regions.

To evaluate the environmental impact of significant projects, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is employed, as outlined by the United Nations Environment Programme.

EIA is designed to predict, analyze, and mitigate the environmental, social, and economic consequences of projects.

Historical Overview of EIA in India:

• Origins: In India, the precursor to EIA began in 1976-77 when the Planning Commission tasked the Department of Science and Technology with assessing river valley projects from an environmental perspective.
• Evolution: Over time, environmental clearance evolved from an administrative decision by the central government into a more structured process. In 1994, the EIA notification was issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, making Environmental Clearance (EC) mandatory for specific projects. It was subsequently replaced by the EIA 2006 notification.
• Decentralization: The hallmark of the 2006 notification was the decentralization of the EC process, allowing state governments to issue EC in certain cases. This notification underwent several amendments over the years.
• Controversy: In 2020, a draft EIA notification sparked controversy, with concerns that it favored industry over ecological considerations.

Challenges and Discrepancies:

1. Standard Thresholds: Despite the Himalayan region’s unique vulnerabilities and ecological significance, EIA processes treat it the same as other parts of the country. Projects in mountainous areas follow the same standard thresholds, irrespective of the distinct environmental needs.
2. Graded Approach Miss: The Indian regulatory system employs a graded approach, differentiating risk management based on the environmental value and sensitivity of the habitat affected by a project. However, the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is not given the differentiated treatment it requires.

Conclusion:

The lack of separate environmental standards for the fragile IHR is a significant oversight. The EIA process must address the region’s ecological needs and vulnerabilities, especially in the face of climate change. This can be accomplished by adapting the thresholds and standards for projects in mountainous regions to align with the specific environmental requirements of the IHR.

HOW DO SOME CANCER CELLS SURVIVE CHEMOTHERAPY?

GS 3 (SCIENCE ANF TECHNOLOGY): SOURCE – THE HINDU

Understanding the mechanisms of resistance in cancer cells is crucial in the fight against cancer. While chemotherapy is an effective treatment, some cancer cells can develop resistance to anti-cancer drugs, leading to the possibility of relapse. Researchers have explored one such mechanism of resistance in a recent study. By understanding and overcoming this resistance, we can improve the efficacy of cancer treatments.

Resistance Mechanism:

1. Chemotherapy and Collateral Damage: Anti-cancer drugs target rapidly dividing cancer cells, often leading to apoptosis or programmed cell death. However, these drugs also affect normal cells that divide, resulting in side effects such as hair loss, inflammation, nausea, and more.
2. Oncologist’s Challenge: Balancing the effective killing of cancer cells with tolerable side effects is a significant challenge for oncologists. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a promising approach, delivering drugs to cancer cells while sparing non-cancerous cells.
3. The Role of P-gp: Some cancer cells can evade chemotherapy by expressing high levels of a protein called P-gp (permeability glycoprotein), which pumps toxic compounds out of the cells, including anti-cancer drugs. This mechanism allows cancer cells to survive and potentially cause relapse.

The Mechanism of Resistance:

• Gene Location in Nucleus: The recent study examined the resistance of some cancer cells to the drug Taxol. Researchers found that the location of a specific gene, ABCB1, within the cell’s nucleus was linked to the cell’s sensitivity to Taxol.
• Nuclear Envelope: In sensitive cells, the ABCB1 gene was located close to the nuclear envelope. In resistant cells, the gene had moved further inside the nucleus. This relocation resulted in a 100-fold increase in RNA corresponding to the ABCB1 gene in resistant cells.
• The Role of Lamin B Receptor (LBR): To identify the factor tethering the ABCB1 gene to the nuclear envelope, researchers focused on the LBR protein. When LBR was absent, cells could activate the ABCB1 gene in response to Taxol. Deleting the gene responsible for LBR production didn’t immediately increase ABCB1 expression in the cells, indicating other factors that silence the gene.

Cell-Specific Responses:

Different types of cancer cells respond differently to the depletion of LBR. Breast cancer cells relied more on LBR to tether genes to the nuclear envelope compared to lung or head and neck cancer cells.

Conclusion:

Understanding how cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy, such as through the ABCB1 gene and P-gp, opens doors for developing strategies to ensure anti-cancer drugs remain potent and prevent relapse. Research in this area highlights the importance of studying how various cancer cells express or silence genes, ultimately leading to more effective cancer treatments and better patient outcomes.

INDIA-SRI LANKA FERRY SERVICE RESTARTED AFTER 40 YEARS

GS 2 (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

The revival of the India-Sri Lanka ferry service, after a 40-year hiatus, holds great promise for bolstering bilateral relations, enhancing tourism, and strengthening people-to-people ties. The new passenger ferry service connects Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, India, to Kankesanthurai in Jaffna, Northern Sri Lanka, rekindling an age-old sea route.

The New Service:

High-Speed Craft ‘Cheriyapani’: The passenger ferry named ‘Cheriyapani’ offers a modern, efficient travel experience. It departs from Nagapattinam at 7 am, reaches Kankesanthurai by 11 am, and returns from Kankesanthurai at 1.30 pm, arriving in Nagapattinam by 5.30 pm.

Ticket and Baggage Allowance: The one-way ticket costs around Rs 7,670, with a generous baggage allowance of up to 40 kg per passenger.

Resumption of Maritime Linkage:

• Historical Connection: Maritime links between India and Sri Lanka have historical roots, with services like the Indo-Ceylon Express or Boat Mail running from Chennai to Colombo via Thoothukudi port up until 1982.
• Impact of Civil War: The civil war in Sri Lanka disrupted these services for several decades.

Previous Attempts and Challenges:

• Post-War Resumption Attempts: Attempts to restart ferry services gained momentum after the civil war ended in 2009, including the signing of an MoU in 2011 for passenger transportation. However, the earlier service lasted only six months due to a poor response.
• Proposals for Other Routes: Efforts were made to establish services from Rameswaram to Talaimannar and Karaikal to Kankesanthurai, but they faced various challenges.

Potential Impact:

• Religious Tourism: The ferry service can boost religious tourism in coastal regions of both countries, offering access to significant religious sites. Indian pilgrim centers and temple towns are expected to attract Sri Lankan tourists.
• Regional Commerce: Beyond religious tourism, the service is likely to enhance regional commerce and trade between the two countries.

SPECIAL LEAVE PETITIONS (SLPS)

GS 2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – PIB

The Supreme Court (SC) recently highlighted that Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) in criminal cases often lacked crucial information.

Article 136 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Supreme Court of India with extraordinary jurisdiction, allowing it to grant special leave to appeal (SLP) from any judgment, decree, determination, sentence, or order passed by any court or tribunal within India. This constitutional provision provides an essential legal recourse for parties aggrieved by the decisions of lower courts or tribunals.

Key Provisions of Article 136:

1. Scope of Application: This article applies to judgments and orders of all courts and tribunals within the territorial boundaries of India, except for military tribunals and court-martials.
2. Right to File SLP: Any aggrieved party has the right to file an SLP against a judgment or an order or even a refusal to grant a certificate for appeal to the Supreme Court. This means that parties can seek a review of decisions in various civil and criminal matters.
3. Timeline for Filing SLP: The timeline for filing an SLP is crucial. It can be filed against a judgment of a High Court within 90 days from the date of the judgment. Alternatively, if the High Court refuses to grant a certificate of fitness for appeal to the Supreme Court, the SLP must be filed within 60 days from the date of the order.

DAVID SLING AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM

GS 2 (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

• Israel used David’s Sling air-defense system to intercept Hamas rockets.
• David’s Sling is an Israeli air and missile defense system designed to defeat short-range ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets, and cruise missiles.
• Co-developed with the United States, David’s Sling occupies a middle tier in its missile defense architecture, between the point-defense Iron Dome and upper-tier Arrow systems.
• The system is designed to intercept various types of missiles that may be fired towards Israel by hostile countries, including the likes of Iran and Syria.

THREE-TIER COMPUTE INFRASTRUCTURE

GS 3 (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY): SOURCE – THE HINDU

• Working groups under the government of India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT have made significant recommendations for advancing artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
• They suggest establishing a three-tier compute infrastructure with 24,500 GPUs to boost AI capabilities.
• This infrastructure includes high-end, mid-range, and edge computing to accommodate various AI applications.
• These recommendations indicate the government’s commitment to promoting AI research and development in India.
• Collaborations with global tech giants and substantial investments in AI infrastructure are steps toward fostering innovation and technological progress in the country.