9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – June 21st, 2023

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GS PAPER - 1

World Yoga Day: Yoga’s challenge on the global stage

Source– The post is based on the article “World Yoga Day: Yoga’s challenge on the global stage” published in “The Indian Express” on 21st June 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- Indian culture, GS 2 – Health related issues

Relevance- Issues related to alternate system of medicine

News – This year the International Day of Yoga is being celebrated at the UN headquarters in New York with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.

How has International Yoga Day contributed to the success of Yoga at a global level?

Yoga is now a global phenomenon. Yoga has transcended geographical boundaries to reach people across the world.

192 countries, including 44 Islamic countries, celebrated the first IDY in 2015. This reveals its popularity.

According to an informal assessment, over 400 million people participated in the 2022 IDY celebrations.

The WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH and major yoga institutions, has developed a new mobile app (mYoga) to educate people about the therapeutic benefits of yoga. Therefore, no one can dismiss yoga now.

The WHO has now initiated the process of developing a benchmark document for standards in yoga training.

It has also helped to promote research in yoga. Many countries have incorporated yoga into their healthcare systems.

It has popularised yoga asanas as probable components of a competitive sport. For the first time, yoga asanas have been included as a sport in Khelo India as well as the National Games.

What is the contribution of the Indian government for yoga?

The ICCR and the Ministry of External Affairs with the support of AYUSH ministry have been promoting yoga.

Since 2018, the ICCR has been organising an annual international conference aimed at creating a sound understanding of the holistic nature of yoga.

After IDY 2015, the Government of India established 150 Swami Vivekanand District Yoga Health Centres and 1,25,000 AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres. Yoga therapy has become popular for post-Covid rehabilitation.

The department of AYUSH in collaboration with NIMHANS and S-VYASA University has developed a Tele Yoga Advisory. Six central universities have started full-fledged departments of yoga.

Over 30% of private, state and deemed universities have started either a certificate, diploma or UG/PG programmes in yoga, since 2015.

India has established National Yogasana Sport Federation and World Yogasana Federation. These are going to standardise and introduce yogasana-based competitions at national and international levels.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has also initiated the process of creating standards for yoga accessories.

What are other examples of success related to yoga?

Yoga has also facilitated the creation of start-ups focused on yoga accessories and yoga services.

The global yoga industry revenues have crossed $100 billion. Yoga-based start-ups are expected to increase significantly in the next one decade.

Meditation-based mobile applications, specialised yoga mats, specialty yoga therapy and integrative medicine centres within conventional medical hospitals also have gone up substantially.

Vivekananda Health Global, a chain of integrative medicine clinics that began as a startup in Bengaluru, has gone global with branches in China, South Korea, Singapore and the US.

GS PAPER - 2

Marx, Mao And The Bhadralok – On West Bengal election violence

Source: The post is based on the article “Marx, Mao And The Bhadralok” published in The Times of India on 21st June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Governance – Electoral Reforms

Relevance: concerns over violence in West Bengal during elections

News: The article highlights the concerns over violence in elections in West Bengal.

What are the concerns over elections in West Bengal?

West Bengal has witnessed large scale violence in the past elections.

The Supreme Court recently affirmed the Calcutta High Court’s order to deploy central forces in all districts of West Bengal for the upcoming panchayat elections.

This highlights the grim situation of West Bengal that even in ordinary panchayat elections, there are chances of violence.

Due to this fear, a significant number of panchayat seats in West Bengal (34% in 2018) were won without opposition.

What are the probable reasons for violence in West Bengal?

The war in the 1970s between the Maoists and CPI(M) is frequently blamed for the trend of violence in West Bengal, which may be somewhat correct.

However, in the later stages, Marx and Engels advocated for peaceful transitions, to socialism after witnessing European elections. But the left in India, had difficulty in embracing it, due to the influence of Stalin and Mao. The violence, in the name of class struggle, attracted a section of leftists in Bengal, not Marx’s Capital.

Also, Bengal had favored violent overthrow of colonial rule. It resulted into many executions of participants by British.

What has been the political history of violence in West Bengal?

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had a large support from the people of West Bengal and neither Mahatma Gandhi nor Nehru could match Bose’s charisma in West Bengal.

Gandhi’s role in denying Bose the Congress presidency made a significant section of Bengali opinion cynical of the politics of non-violence. Nehru’s lack of support for Bose further increased this sentiment.

Therefore, when Bose broke away from congress to form the Azad Hind Fauj, he was widely cheered in Bengal for his bravery and audacity. When he died, it was seen as an extension of the many Bengalis who were executed by the British.

Therefore, throughout history, from the time of freedom fighters to figures like Bose and the Maoists, a section of Bengalis has embraced militancy.

A tech-tonic shift – on India-USA relations

Source– The post is based on the article A tech-tonic shiftpublished in Business Standard on 21st June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- International Relations

RelevanceIndo-USA relations

News- The article emphasis the India-USA relationship

What is the news all about?

Beyond all the discussions about sharing technologies between India and the US, it is well known that trade relations between the two are hardly technology heavy.

The US, the world’s leading technological power, currently offers hardly any significant products to excite the Indian market; the same applies for Indian exports.

What are India’s technological engagements with other countries?

As India becomes a key player in the data network business globally, the business and safety of that architecture matters a lot.

China and India own more undersea landing stations than any other country except the US.

A report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) notes that India’s total activated capacity of cable landing stations increased nine times over in just six years up to 2021. About a quarter of these cables are invested in by Europe.

The USA is interested that the ownership of these cables does not pass into Chinese hands, overtly or covertly, as European ownership gets diluted.

What is the position of India USA trade mix?

So far India’s primary export to the US is diamonds — 15.4 per cent of the total $78.5 billion. The key exports from the US is crude, 36 per cent of the $50.2 billion (all figures are for FY23). Barring that the key US exports to India are only precious metals and chemical products

Even in services, the picture is not tech-heavy. Of the total US exports of services of India, almost half is personal travel. The Indian export basket fares better, with a large component of IT-related services.

The long-term trends make also it clear that the Indian market will not move to a higher consumption of US products from among the current available pool of freely exportable products and services.

How can ICET help to overcome this?

The iCET collaboration will make greater cooperation in critical and emerging technologies possible, which entails co-development and co-production of these technologies.

What are the Issues in ICET?

In the US, these are entirely private sector businesses, for whom it is difficult to do business with Indian government-owned companies in nuclear, space and big tech.

President Barack Obama favored giving US insurance companies, especially the reinsurance giants, a 100 per cent FDI, in India. India is still not there.

Present statements to elevate and expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the two countries, are ignoring the earlier areas of contentions World Trade Organization, retaliatory tariffs, currency manipulation, dumping.

This is not how China-US relations became strong in the past. They on currency convertibility, easier access for US firms into China, and copyright and patent issues initially. While high tech came later.

Pratap Bhanu Mehta on Modi’s US visit: Making of a high point

Source– The post is based on the article “Pratap Bhanu Mehta on Modi’s US visit: Making of a high point” published in “The Indian Express” on 21st June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Bilateral groupings and agreements

Relevance – Issues related to India and US bilateral relationship

News – PM Modi is on a visit to the US.

What is the status of India and US bilateral relationship?

The most striking thing about the current moment is the sheer asymmetry of what the US is offering. It is offering high-end technology and co-production possibilities with a power that is not an ally.

The US wants a long-term partnership where India becomes important to US supply chains.

India is leveraging these relationships to create a manufacturing ecosystem.

The situation on the border with China is critical. India’s power projection capabilities have faced criticism. But the US is making efforts to strengthen Indian capability for countering China.

Why is the US accepting this asymmetrical relationship with India?

The US is being far-sighted in accepting the asymmetry in this relationship. This is a smartly pre-emptive move on the part of the US in two respects.

First, even at the low point of Indo-US relations, the US recognised that India’s stability is important for it. The US is already facing a hostile Russia, China and Iran.

Second, even the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, is slipping into potentially adversarial territory for the US. Europe is diverging from America’s approach to China.

In this context, if India moves away from the US, the current world order based on US supremacy will upend very quickly.

The US investment in India is not just because they have a common adversary in China. In the long run, the US will need to ensure India is not closer to any other power.

The US’s best investments have been when it has accepted these asymmetrical burdens. One of the examples is its relationship with Europe.

The second pre-emptive move is to bring India into the US military industrial complex. Keeping India out of that complex during the Cold War simply pushed it towards the USSR. But the US defence industry will also need the Indian market.

What is the enduring puzzle of international relations?

If China is really interested in challenging the US, it would have made peace with India. China’s less assertive behaviour on a border dispute with India is beneficial for it. It would have made America’s global standing even more vulnerable.

GS PAPER - 3

Growth versus equity: A debate that India should’ve long settled

Source: The post is based on the article “Growth versus equity: A debate that India should’ve long settled” published in Live Mint on 21st June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy- Growth & Development

Relevance: Impact of higher growth on poverty and on inequality

News: There has always been debate over growth versus equity, means, how growth of nations impact the well-being of the people. This article explains the impact of growth on poverty and on inequality.

What is the impact of higher growth on poverty?

It is often argued that growth and poverty are in conflict, i.e., when the growth of a nation increases, it increases poverty.

However, in a democratic society, it is difficult to argue that poverty would decrease with high GDP. For instance, a higher GDP growth rate, such as 15%, is likely to reduce poverty more significantly than a lower rate, around 10%.

Moreover, the government’s measures to redistribute income would also face less resistance with higher growth.

Does higher growth increase inequality?

The relationship between growth and inequality is the inverse. For instance, a 15% growth rate is likely to be accompanied by greater income inequality compared to a 5% rate.

This is because capabilities are unevenly distributed in society, and different sectors of the economy grow at different rates.

For instance, those with the most suitable skills for the faster-growing sectors will experience proportionately higher income growth, while other sectors may find their skills inadequate for the new economic changes.

This structural adjustment occurs irrespective of the country’s political system. Even in China, income inequality has increased over the past decade.

The United States has also witnessed the shift of manufacturing production to developing countries, like China and east Asia.

However, in the US, the market has driven the re-skilling of workers, whereas in developing countries like India, there is a consensus that the state should fund or direct such re-skilling.

Therefore, the issue of inequality is critical for India, and it is often associated with the challenge of poverty reduction.

What are the challenges associated with India’s growth?

There has been a significant structural change in the country’s economy after 1991 economic reforms.

Due to these reforms, certain industries, such as small-scale textile and handloom sectors, faced intense competition from abroad, for which they were unprepared.

Despite the government support to the textile industries, the dominance of textiles as an export item has declined over time.

Countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are now leading the textile export economy in South and Southeast Asia.

What can be the way ahead for India?

There is a need for strong government incentives and support for Small Scale Industries (SSIs) and prioritizing re-skilling initiatives.

Economic growth with government support for re-skilling, rather than picking growth over equity, (or vice versa), is the right political choice.

Semiconductor fab: the unfinished agenda

Source– The post is based on the article “Semiconductor fab: the unfinished agenda” published in “The Hindu” on 21st June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy – Industrial Policies

News – The article explains the issues related to the semiconductor industry in India.

What were the earlier attempts by India for semiconductor manufacturing?

The first serious attempt was made in 2007 in the form of a Special Incentive Package. But it yielded no response.

The second attempt in the form of Modified SIP in 2012 fared better. India came close to having a fab. Two consortia were approved by the Cabinet.

The government offered incentives amounting to nearly $5 billion in the form of cash and tax cuts. But finally, both failed to mobilise resources.

How has China established itself as a major player in semiconductor manufacturing?

China started late in the semiconductor fab industry. But backed by massive government financial support over the last two decades, it acquired hundreds of loss-making fabs from around the world and built its fab industry.

China’s chip production has grown rapidly. China has become one of the major producers of chips. It has a strategic stranglehold on chip-making due to its market supremacy in rare earths.

What is the response of western countries to China’s dominance in semiconductor manufacturing?

Over the last year, the U.S. and its Western allies have blocked the transfer of the latest fab-related technology to China.

The U.S. enacted the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022, with nearly $40 billion in subsidies for semiconductor manufacturing to the country. The European Union sanctioned €7.4 billion for a new fab in France.

What are issues involved in semiconductor manufacturing?

Investment in a semiconductor fab is risky. Billions of dollars need to be recovered before the technology becomes obsolete.

There is a need for substantial production volumes for economic viability that is adequate to meet global demand.

Developing an ecosystem for chip manufacturing in a greenfield location is a major challenge. Hundreds of chemicals and gases are required for chip fabrication.

The advantage of semiconductors having a small freight-to-price ratio and a zero-custom duty regime under the Information Technology Agreement, 1996, facilitates production in a single location and global sales.

People need to be trained. Abundant clean water should be available. The art of chip-making is important. Despite the best of equipment, poor quality and low yields can make fabs fail.

There are other issues, such as whether to set up a logic/processor, memory or analog fab. The most advanced set of technologies is needed to manufacture them.

A relatively easier option is Assembly, Testing, Packaging and Marking (ATMP). But ATMPs have little value in terms of actual chip-making.

Semiconductor fabrication represents the ultimate frontier of human tech advancement. As per Moore’s law, the number of transistors in a unit area doubles every 18 months. But the miniaturisation involves higher complexity and costs.

What is the way forward for the success of semiconductor manufacturing in India?

China acquired loss-making fabs and then set up its own logic fab. It provides lessons. Acquiring existing fabs has many advantages. They are reasonably priced, have stabilised technology, and a supply chain ecosystem. They have an established product line, and market.

They will enable India to build the fab ecosystem and train human resources. Much lower subsidies would be required. Funds saved could be used for advanced R&D in fab technologies.

Another strategy could be setting up ATMPs. China has over 100 ATMPs.

Dead Wrong – Telangana charging the deceased with UAPA brings to life how the most severe laws are casually misused by govts

Source: The post is based on the article “Dead Wrong – Telangana charging the deceased with UAPA brings to life how the most severe laws are casually misused by govts” published in The Times of India on 21st June 2023

Syllabus: GS 3 – Security Issues.

Relevance: About misuse of stricter laws.

News: In Telangana, police charged the two dead people for two years under the anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. This is a classic example of the casual misuse of one of India’s most stringent laws.

About the status of UAPA cases

Analysis of NCRB data by various experts shows the conviction rate of people charged under UAPA is below 3%. Although 97% of those arrested and jailed get acquitted eventually, getting bail is tough. For instance, hardly 16% alone got bail in 2020. Thirteen of 4,690 accused under UAPA between 2018 and 2020 were below 18; 53% were between 18 and 30. The conviction rate for cases is 27%, almost half the convictions in IPC cases.

At the end of 2021, the highest number of cases pending investigation for over 10 years was in Manipur, with 1,597 of 2,041 such cases.

Read more: Issue of Bail under UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) – Explained, Pointwise

About the sedition cases

UAPA, along with the sedition law and a clutch of state laws, gives police sweeping powers to apply severe procedures for offences that are mostly loosely defined. The misuse of the sedition law prompted the Supreme Court to delay its decision until the government reconsiders. However, the law commission cited national security to seek a stricter sedition law. The debates led the new law minister to indulge in “further consultations” on sedition.

 Supreme Court changes stand; now mere membership of a banned outfit is a crime under UAPA

SC must not wait indefinitely for the government to reconsider the sedition law. Further, the government should consider the Telangana example as a grave “tendency” to violate rights and reconsider it.

Poor productivity – Cotton farmers need genetically modified seeds

Source: The post is based on the article “Poor productivity – Cotton farmers need genetically modified seeds” published in the Business Standard on 21st June 2023

Syllabus: GS 3 – Awareness in the field of biotechnology.

Relevance: About the need for GM cotton crops.

News: For the past several years, India’s cotton production has been stagnating at 34-36 million bales (one bale is 170 kg).

What is the present state of India’s cotton production?

The cotton sector supports the livelihood of 45-50 million people, including 6 million cotton farmers.

Though India leads the world in cotton acreage, India ranks only 38th in productivity. For example, the average productivity of cotton is only around 500 kg a hectare, which compares poorly with the global average of over 800 kg.

While the old Bt-cotton hybrids, responsible for increasing output, have become outmoded. The new ones to replace them are not forthcoming. The moratorium on testing genetically modified (GM) crops imposed by the government in 2010 is thwarting the development of new Bt-cotton seeds.

Read more: A fresh beginning – New GM cotton can reverse the yield decline

What is the status of research for other GM cotton crops in India?

BG-2 RRF: It is a second-generation variant of the Bt-cotton seed, developed by the well-known seed company Mahyco. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has delayed the permission by seeking additional data.

Cry2Ai gene: It is the Bt-cotton strain containing the pink bollworm-resistant, developed by Hyderabad-based Bioseed Research India. State governments are putting up hurdles in the field-testing of the new seeds. Three states —Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat — have not even allowed field trials of the new seeds. Haryana, the only state that has agreed to permit testing, is under pressure from the anti-GM lobby.

Read more: Seeds of stagnation in Bt cotton: Can newer variants impact productivity?

Why does India need GM cotton crops?

-Agronomic means such as expansion in plant density and improvement in input-use efficiency can increase in crop yields to some amount. But these cannot save the crops from diseases and pests, which are turning more virulent.

-None of the present Bt-cotton hybrids is capable of withstanding the onslaught of pink bollworm, which has become the major nemesis of this crop now. Farmers have little option but to spray pesticides repeatedly, with grave environmental implications.

Read more: Transgenic Crops in India: Need and Challenges – Explained, pointwise

What should be done?

The government should effectively counter the disinformation being spread by some anti-GM activists about gene-altered crops. The state governments need to appreciate the merits of modern technology and facilitate the advent of new strains to sustain the cotton revolution.

A national innovation system for pharma

Source: The post is based on the article “A national innovation system for pharma” published in the Business Standard on 21st June 2023

Syllabus: GS 3 – Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

Relevance: About making the Indian pharmaceutical industry a world leader in innovation.

News: Recently a closed-door roundtable on innovation in the pharmaceutical industry was jointly hosted by the Centre for Technology Innovation and Economic Research and the Ananta Centre.

Note: This article is an expansion of Towards a National Innovation System article.

About the Indian pharmaceutical industry

From an overwhelming dependence on foreign firms and brands 50 years ago, India today has a vibrant and large pharmaceutical sector with highly entrepreneurial Indian players operating alongside multinationals. The industry is the third largest in volume worldwide, with a 10% share. However, in sales, it is the 14th largest in value, with just a 1.5% share.

Read more: The pharmaceutical industry’s self-regulation is a deceptive blocking strategy rather than a means for the industry to police itself. 

What should be done to make the Indian pharmaceutical industry a global giant?

A national innovation system for pharma
Source: Business Standard

Incentivise investment in in-house R&D: India must start with much greater investment in R&D by the industry. The US, Japan, Germany, Switzerland and the UK have giant pharmaceutical companies, each investing billions of dollars in R&D. So India needs a 10-year ambition for leadership, as foreign giants on average spend much more on R&D ($7 billion) than the turnover of our top five pharmaceutical firms ($1.5 billion). This can be facilitated by initiatives such as providing full tax credit against income tax for increases in R&D spending, etc.

A regulatory system that supports innovation in firms: Few of the regulatory framework officials do not understand what it takes to discover a new molecule. This forced Indian pharma companies to conduct Phase I trials of new drugs in Australia instead of India.

Note: In Australia, the phase I trials costs 10 times higher, but the process is systematic, transparent and sure.

So, by revamping the regulatory system, India could turn our huge population and low labour cost into a major competitive advantage for drug discovery.

Reorient public research: India invests only around 0.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) in publicly funded R&D, just below the world average of 0.5%. A little over half of national R&D is done by the government in its own autonomous laboratories. Defence comes first, then Space, Atomic Energy, CSIR and Agriculture.

Healthcare research comes sixth, at under 6% of government spending on R&D. In the US, healthcare R&D (at 27%) is second only to defence. The same goes for the UK too (at 20%). So, allocating a larger share of government R&D spending to healthcare would be fruitful and spur investment within industry.

Facilitate talent search: Any Indian pharma industry can easily hire fresh graduates from Indian pharmacy courses. But they struggle to get advanced research talent. So, they often set up laboratories in the US and UK to tap into pools of specialised talent.

Almost every other country conducts public research within universities. So, their shift to foreign countries also connects them to well-funded universities that do a lot of healthcare research.

But in India, most of our public research happens in autonomous government laboratories. So, India too should shift public research to our higher education system. Thereby, India would simultaneously train more advanced talent that pharmaceutical firms need.

Follow Chinese approach: Fifteen years ago, the Indian pharmaceutical industry was well ahead of China in innovation. Today it is 10 years behind. This is because of impacts of regulatory changes made in China. These impacts a) Made it easier to conduct clinical trials, b) Facilitated competition between different local governments incentivised firms to expand R&D facilities in their city, c) The Thousand Talents programme attracted experienced technologists, etc.

So, building a broad national purpose will turn the Indian pharmaceutical industry into a world leader in innovation.

Read more: INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR CHALLENGES AND REFORMS

Precision fermentation: advantages and challenges – Explained, pointwise

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Introduction

Precision fermentation is an innovative technology that holds great promise for the food industry. By programming microorganisms to produce specific proteins and ingredients, it offers numerous advantages such as sustainable foods and pharmaceutical products, reduced environmental footprint, and potential solutions to food crises. However, precision fermentation also faces challenges related to regulation, safety, public perception, and its impact on traditional agriculture. Balancing these advantages and challenges is crucial for its successful implementation.  

What is precision fermentation?

Precision fermentation
Source: MDPI

Precision fermentation is a cutting-edge technology that combines traditional fermentation methods with precision biology techniques. It involves programming microorganisms, such as yeast, to produce specific proteins by inserting genetic instructions or DNA sequences into their cells. These engineered microorganisms then act as factories, producing desired proteins without the need for traditional agricultural methods or animal sources. Precision fermentation offers the potential for sustainable and scalable production of animal-free proteins with identical taste, texture, and functionality to conventional counterparts.  

What are the potential applications of precision fermentation?

Precision fermentation
Source: Science Direct

Pharmaceutical applications: Precision fermentation has been successfully used in the production of pharmaceutical products, such as insulin and other life-saving drugs. By using microbial fermentation to produce these drugs, it eliminates the need for animal-based sources and ensures a more consistent and reliable supply.  

Alternative proteins: Precision fermentation has enabled the production of alternative proteins that can mimic the taste, texture, and nutritional profile of animal-based proteins. Companies have developed animal-free milk and egg proteins through precision fermentation, providing sustainable and ethical alternatives to traditional animal agriculture.  

Novel food ingredients:  Advanced fermentation technologies have been utilized to create novel food ingredients that offer unique properties and benefits. For example, companies have produced plant-based heme protein (leghemoglobin) through precision fermentation, which provides the distinctive flavour and color of meat. This has paved the way for the development of plant-based meat alternatives with enhanced sensory characteristics.  

Industry growth and investments: The precision fermentation industry has witnessed substantial growth and investment in recent years. Numerous startups and companies are dedicated to advancing precision fermentation technologies, and investments in the sector have been increasing. This growth indicates the growing recognition of precision fermentation as a viable solution for addressing food system challenges. 

Read more: THE FORMULA FOR PLANT-BASED ‘MEATS’

What are the needs for precision fermentation?

Food crisis and insecurity: Traditional farming won’t be able to provide all of the world’s food needs because there isn’t enough land available and the population is expanding daily.  

Environmental degradation: Conventional agriculture practices contribute to deforestation, soil erosion, and the depletion of natural resources. Precision fermentation can help reduce the environmental impact by minimizing land use, water consumption, and the need for chemical inputs, thus mitigating environmental degradation.  

Water crisis: Agriculture is a major consumer of freshwater resources. Precision fermentation requires less water compared to traditional farming methods, making it a potential solution to mitigate water scarcity and reduce the strain on water supplies.  

Climate change issue: Greenhouse gas emissions associated with livestock farming and conventional crop cultivation are responsible for climate change.  

Animal cruelty: Animal agriculture often raises concerns about the ethical treatment of animals. Precision fermentation is devoid of such concerns.

Read more: What is ‘meat’ from plants, and is ‘just like’ meat vegetarian?

What are the advantages of precision fermentation?

Sustainable food production:  Advanced fermentation technologies offers a more sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural methods, reducing land use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. It provides a way to address the environmental impact of traditional farming practices.  

Animal welfare and ethics: Precision fermentation allows for the production of animal-free proteins, eliminating the need for raising and slaughtering animals. It aligns with the ethical concerns and increasing demand for cruelty-free food options.  

Innovation and economic opportunities: Precision fermentation represents a technological innovation that opens new avenues for economic growth and job creation. It fosters the development of a bio-based economy, with opportunities in research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization of precision fermentation-based products.  

Food security and global nutrition: Precision fermentation can contribute to food security by providing a scalable and efficient method of protein production. It offers the potential to meet the nutritional needs of a growing population, especially in regions where access to traditional protein sources is limited.  

Climate change mitigation: Precision fermentation reduces the environmental impact of food production by minimizing deforestation, soil degradation, and methane emissions from livestock. It helps in mitigating climate change by promoting more sustainable practices.  

Read more: Technological advancement often has a sting in its tail 

What are the concerns surrounding precision fermentation?

High production costs: Currently, precision fermentation technologies can be costly, making the products derived from them more expensive compared to conventional alternatives. This pricing disparity poses a challenge to widespread adoption and market accessibility, particularly in terms of affordability for consumers.  

Regulatory and safety considerations: As Advanced fermentation technologies involves genetic engineering and the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), there are regulatory and safety considerations. Ensuring the safety of novel proteins and ingredients produced through precision fermentation is crucial, and comprehensive testing and evaluation processes are necessary to address any potential risks to human health and the environment.  

Ethical and societal implications: Advanced fermentation technologies raise ethical questions related to the use of genetically modified organisms, particularly in food production. Some individuals may have ethical objections to consuming foods derived from GMOs, highlighting the need for transparency and clear communication about the technology and its applications.  

The concentration of power: There is a concern that precision fermentation, like other innovative food technologies, could lead to the concentration of power in the hands of a few large corporations. This concentration could potentially limit market competition and hinder small-scale producers or new entrants in the industry, impacting diversity and innovation.  

Impact on traditional agriculture: The widespread adoption of precision fermentation and alternative protein sources could potentially disrupt traditional agricultural sectors, including livestock farming and crop production. This may have socioeconomic implications for farmers and communities dependent on these industries, requiring transition strategies and support.  

What should be done?

Robust regulatory framework: Establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework specific to precision fermentation is essential. This includes rigorous safety assessments, labelling requirements, and guidelines for the approval and commercialization of products derived from this process.  

Scientific advancements: Ongoing research and development are needed to enhance the efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of precision fermentation processes. Advancements in precision biology, genetic engineering, and fermentation techniques can optimize the production of animal-free proteins.  

Collaboration and diversity: Encouraging collaboration among stakeholders, including precision fermentation companies, traditional farmers, policymakers, researchers, and consumer groups. This can facilitate a balanced and diverse food system. Supporting small-scale producers, startups, and innovators in entering the precision fermentation sector can foster competition, innovation, and prevent the concentration of power.  

Consumer acceptance and education: Building consumer awareness and understanding of precision fermentation is essential for the wider acceptance of animal-free proteins. Educating the public about the benefits, safety, and sustainability aspects of fermentation can contribute to its adoption.  

Ethical considerations: This includes addressing concerns about the use of genetically modified organisms and ensuring responsible practices throughout the production and supply chain. Promoting ethical guidelines and practices, such as sustainable sourcing of ingredients and fair trade principles, can contribute to the ethical implementation of precision fermentation. 

Sources: Livemint, AFN, Innovation Origins, PETA, The Guardian, Business Wire, Food Navigator and Food Institute.

Syllabus: GS 3: Science and Technology: Awareness in the field of biotechnology.

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