Daily important updates for civil services

Model Answer : Approach: Why in news? Gene-editing and CRISPR-Cas9 Benefits associated with genomics revolution Challenges associated with genomics revolution Conclusion Why in news? Recently, three studies related to CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing were published in the scientific journal, Nature Medicine. US scientists have successfully edited the DNA of human embryos to erase a heritable heart condition that is known for causing sudden death. In May 2017, it was shown that in mice it is possible to shut down HIV-1 replication and even eliminate the virus from infected cells. Researchers from the Oregon Health and Science University in California, China and South Korea repaired a mutation in human embryos by using a gene-editing tool called CRISPR-Cas9. Clinical trials are under way in China and in the US to use this tool for treating cancer. In agriculture, a new breed of crops that are gene-edited will become commercially available in a few years. Gene-editing an

Model Answer : Approach: Why in news? Assam's NRC Concerns that surrounds it Conclusion Why in news? Recently the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has been published in Assam on July 30th, 2018. Assam's NRC The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is the list of Indian citizens of Assam. Assam is the only State that had prepared an NRC in 1951 and it has also now become the first State to get the first draft of its own updated NRC. As per the Assam accord signed in 1985, it was agreed that all foreigners who had entered Assam between 1951 and 1961 would be given full citizenship and those who entered after 1971 would be deported. The Register is meant to establish the credentials of a bona fide citizen as distinguished from a foreigner. This is to detect Bangladeshi migrants who may have illegally entered Assam after the midnight of March 24, 1971. The National Register of Citizens, Assam will contain the names of genuine Indian citizen

Model Answer : Approach: Why in news? Introduction – What, Why and initial goals Growth in its influence Gaps in achieving its initial goals Conclusion Why in news? The 10th edition of the BRICS Summit took place recently in Johannesburg, South Africa. Introduction – What, Why and initial goals BRICS is the acronym coined by British Economist Jim O’Neill meant for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. In 2009 the leaders of BRIC countries made the first summit and in 2010 BRIC became a formal institution. South Africa joined the BRIC grouping on December 24, 2010, after which it became BRICS. The BRICS group is a South-South framework for cooperation. The group also acts as a bridge between developed and developing countries. Its initial goals are – To reform of global financial governance, Democratization of the United Nations, and Expansion of the UN Security Council. Growth in its influ

Model Answer : Approach: Why in news? Potential risks Various possible reforms Conclusion Why in news? A draft bill, titled The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018, has recently been submitted by Shri B.N. Srikrishna committee. The UK-based firm Cambridge Analytica has allegedly misused user data on Facebook. There were cases in news lately related to Aadhaar data breach. Potential risks The convergence of Big Data analytics, artificial intelligence and social media, has further increased data breach and its misuse. This proliferation of digital networking has provided an incredible platform for people to communicate, but its flip side is that  individual users are increasingly viewed as legitimate targets  for mining personal and metadata. Breach of personal data is an encroachment over individual privacy undermining the fundamental right to life guaranteed under article 21 of Indian constitution. Use of mined data for relatively innocuous purposes such as