Gut Microbiome link To Autism

• A study was done to determine how the gut microbiome and autism spectrum disease are related (ASD).
• It has been discovered that human gut microbiome makeup is linked to several disorders, including autism, Crohn's disease, and others.
• The bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses that inhabit human digestive tracts are known as the gut microbiome or gut microbiota. These microorganisms have an impact on the body from birth and throughout life by regulating digestion, the immune system, the central nervous system, and other bodily functions.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD): What is it?

• A range of neurodevelopmental abnormalities are collectively referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• One in 100 kids have ASD, according to the WHO. Children with ASD have trouble interacting with others, struggle with verbal and nonverbal communication, and engage in repetitive and constrained behaviours.
• One's cognitive capacities may be negatively impacted by these traits, which over time may lower one's quality of life.
• ASD cannot currently be treated or reversed by therapeutic methods or recognised remedies.
• The causative agents of ASD are still not fully understood by researchers. Yet, they are starting to discover that a problem with the gut-brain axis may play a significant role.
• The study of the factors that contribute to a condition or disease is known as aetiology.
• It is a complex developmental impairment of the brain that manifests itself throughout the first three years of life.
• While persons with autism can display exceptional skills in fields like art, music, writing, etc., it is not a sign of mental impairment. Individuals with ASDs have a wide range of intellectual functioning, from severe impairment to excellent levels.

Causes:

• Environmental and genetic variables, among others, may increase a child's risk of developing an ASD.

What is the relationship between ASD and the gut microbiome?

• The modulation of the immune system and metabolic processes in the human body are thought to be significantly influenced by the gut microbiome. Immune modulation is the process through which the immune system tries to make sure that the reaction it produces is appropriate for the threat.
• The gut microbiome and ASD symptoms may be related, according to the study. In children with ASD, they discovered dysbiosis, or an imbalance, in the gut flora.
• These results led the researchers to the conclusion that restoring gut microbiome balance and treating gut dysbiosis in ASD children could help them with a variety of issues and enhance their quality of life.
• The human microbiome, frequently referred to as the "lost organ," is important for a variety of host activities, including physiology, nutrition, growth, and disease.
• The modulation of the immune system and metabolic processes in the human body are thought to be significantly influenced by the gut microbiome.
• Immune modulation, among other things, refers to an immune system's efforts to make sure that its reaction is appropriate for the threat.
• Some researchers have contested the importance of the gut microbiome by arguing that since ASD cannot be caused by the microbiome, it has a limited involvement in the pathophysiology of the disorder.
• Hence, "fixing" the gut in ASD can lessen the toxic load, including that which crosses the blood-brain barrier, and/or assist in completing the crucial routes for neurotransmitter synthesis.

What ASD-related initiatives are there?

• The Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) both address the rights of individuals with disabilities, including autism.
• The number of disability kinds has expanded from 7 to 21 as a result of the Right of People with Disabilities Act, 2016. Along with other conditions that were mostly disregarded in prior Acts, it also includes autism spectrum disorder.
• More than 60 nations backed a resolution that the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted in 2014 titled "Comprehensive and coordinated efforts for the management of ASD."
• The 2nd of April was unanimously designated as International Autism Awareness Day by the UN General Assembly in 2008.

Genetically Engineered Trees

• The first genetically engineered trees in the United States have been planted in a low-lying region of the pine belt in southern Georgia.

Highlight:

• Poplars have undergone genetic modification to increase their airborne carbon dioxide absorption and hasten wood growth.
• The modified trees were created in an effort to tackle climate change by the biotechnology business Living Carbon, which has its headquarters in San Francisco.
• Nonetheless, detractors have raised concern that more thorough research is still needed before commercial plantings may be authorised in order to understand the repercussions and long-term effects on native ecosystems.
• GM trees cannot presently be grown commercially in India.

Historical background:

• In 1988, scientists in Belgium began the first field trials with GE trees to develop faster-growing, herbicide-resistant poplar trees.
• In an effort to combat the issue of deforestation, China began planting GE poplar trees on a commercial scale in 2002.
• The first 300 hectares of GE trees were planted, but today China has enthusiastically embraced the technology and incorporated it into the forestry sector.
• In Latin America, Brazil and Argentina are setting the bar for GM food crops and are creating GE trees to boost pulp and paper production.
• According to a 1983 study, tobacco was the first crop plant to undergo genetic modification.

Genetically altered trees:

• Genetically modified (GM) trees are those whose genes have been changed by the application of biotechnology.
• Interventions are carried out to improve their abilities in the areas they desire, such as quick growth, disease resistance, or the ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Foreign genes are inserted into the Genome of these trees using techniques like gene editing and the gene gun approach.

Genetically Engineered Trees in India:

• The first experiment with genetically engineered trees used the rubber tree developed by the Rubber Research Institute in Kerala.
• The GE rubber has a higher tolerance for environmental stress and is more drought resistant.
• As a result, it will be simpler to establish rubber in unusual places with poor weather.
• Strangely, the previous environment minister approved of the field trials for GE rubber trees (Mr. Jairam Ramesh).
• According to the Ministry, genetically engineered trees pose less of a threat than food crops.
• This notion is incorrect because rubber tree seeds are fed to cattle, which then make their way into the food chain through milk.
• Kerala is another area where rubber plantations produce a large amount of rubber honey.

Importance:

• Genetically modified trees have the potential to minimise the consequences of climate change by absorbing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• They can also be employed commercially to more effectively produce pulp or wood.

Challenges:

• The long-term impacts of GM trees on ecosystems and the environment are not fully understood.
• Concerns exist over the potential risks of cross-fertilization with wild or non-GM trees, which could have unfavourable effects.
• According to detractors, Transgenic trees may increase the usage of toxic pesticides and herbicides and destroy biodiversity.
• The government enforces strict requirements before GM crops can be licenced for commercial use, usually eliminating the research incentives for generating novel crops.

GM Crop Regulation in India:

• The highest biotech regulating agency in India is the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
• The committee is established as a legislative body by the Environment Protection Act of 1986 of the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF).
• Its previous name was the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee.
• The GEAC oversees approving the commercial release of biotech crops as well as experimental and extensive open field studies, in accordance with the EPA's 1986 "Rules for Production, Use, Import, Export, and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells."
• The Rules of 1989 also designate five qualified bodies—the Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBSC), Review Committee of Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), State Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC), and District Level Committee (DLC)—to handle various aspects of the rules.

Governmental Programs:

• The National Agricultural Innovation Programme (NAIP): advancing GM crop research and development. This initiative, which offers financing for agricultural research and development, including the production of GM crops, is sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• The National Food Security Mission (NFSM), run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, aims to boost food grain production and productivity in India by conducting research on GM crops.
• The Department of Biotechnology administers the Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program (BIPP), which provides funding for public-private collaborations in the disciplines of biotechnology and genetically modified crops.
• The National Biotechnology Development Strategy (NBDS) is a long-term plan put in place by the Department of Biotechnology to promote biotechnology research and development in India.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana: This initiative, which is run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, aims to promote the expansion of the agricultural sector and allied businesses.

Terrorism in India

• The use of organised and systematic violence by a person or group to intimidate others in order to further their political, religious, or cultural goals is known as terrorism.

India's history with terrorism:

• Much of India's history with terrorism and violent extremism can be attributed to the subcontinent's religiously motivated division into Pakistan and India in 1947.
• The most horrific ethnic riots in recent history, which were characterised by ferocious brutality and terrorist attacks, continued to be witnessed across the sub-continent.
• During a brief time of neutrality following the partition, the then-Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Hari Singh, formally acceded to India; however, Pakistan, which has claims to the Muslim-majority territory, has not and still does not recognise this act of accession.
• The long-running war between the two countries is centred on this geographical dispute, with each government strongly disputing the claims of the other.
• In addition, India accuses Pakistan of escalating the cross-border war and of funding militant groups to destabilise the state of J&K and other regions of the nation.

Types of terrorism:

Ethnic terrorism

• It is defined as terrorism motivated by a crisis of identity, a shortage of resources, or cultural imperialism among diverse ethnic groups. It is widespread in India's northeast.

Religious terrorism:

• Religious terrorism refers to the institutionalised violence that is spread based on religion. At the heart of this terrorism is a sense of religious superiority. Modern-day religious terrorism is seen as one of the wrost terrorisms.

Terrorism motivated by ideas:

• Left terrorism or naxalism are the terms used to describe planned acts of violence that have communist undertones. Nonetheless, right-wing terrorism is used to describe acts of violence that have religious or cultural roots.

Global terrorism:

• Terrorism that affects the entire world is referred to as global terrorism. They primarily target western nations (America, Europe). The 9/11 assaults in America provided the first, terrifying sight of international terrorism. Recently, France and Austria have seen acts of international terrorism.

Cross-border terrorism:

• In this form of terrorism, individuals who are not Indian nationals but who are supported by a particular religious cause or by countries nearby carry out terrorist acts in the nation. Also, they back separatist movements that are taking place in India. The area mainly impacted by these operations is the UT of Ladakh, Jammu, and Kashmir. In situations like Pulwama, Mumbai 26/11, and Pathankot, there was unequivocal proof that Pakistan backed terrorism.

Domestic terrorism:

• Domestic terrorism is a result of relative deprivation, identity conflict, rising extremist sentiment among the majority group, and the presence of communal elements in society. Since India's society and nation are still developing, communalism presents a challenge to the nation-building process.

Impacts:

• It seriously jeopardises global peace and security and undercuts the fundamental principles of growth, peace, and humanity.
• Terrorist activities not only have a catastrophic human cost in terms of lives lost or permanently changed, but they also endanger political stability and economic and social advancement.
• Often, terrorist attacks disregard international boundaries.
• CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives) materials are used in terrorist attacks that have devastating effects on infrastructure and communities.

Reason for terrorism:

• Terrorism has posed a threat to democracies not only in India but also in other nations, impairing citizens' ability to exercise their rights. Whether it be the political, social, or economic spheres of life, terrorism has impacted practically all of them.
• Terrorism is, in general, the antithesis of freedom, progress, and human rights. The areas most severely impacted by terrorism are those in India's frontier regions, particularly those that border Pakistan.
• The biggest infringement on human rights is terrorism in all of its manifestations. The terrorists kill innocent people mercilessly, brutally, and inhumanely with the intention of undermining not just the legitimacy of the government but also the safety and sovereignty of the nation.
• Communist, Islamist, and separatist organisations are the main perpetrators of terrorism in India. The majority of terrorist killings in India are attributable to communist terrorist groups, who are by far the most frequent offenders.
• Islamist terrorist organisations in Kashmir, Sikh separatists in Punjab, and secessionist organisations in Assam continue to target India with terrorist strikes.
• Physical destruction is the result of terrorism that is both most noticeable and immediate. Terrorists obliterate already-existing factories, equipment, transportation networks, and other financial resources. On a smaller scale, terrorist acts may blow up various markets, public spaces, or religious buildings. Terrorism always has a detrimental effect on the economy.

Terrorism and Human Right:

• The activities of terrorist groups like Al-Qaida and Lashkar-e-Taiba have an impact on South Asia. No nation can escape the repercussions of terrorism due to the developing connections between terrorist organisations, cross-border operations, including finance networks, and the use of contemporary technologies.
• A serious violation of human rights is the loss of civilian life and the uncertainty around life security.
• Terrorist attacks caused an average of 2.4 fatalities in nations in conflict in 2017, compared to 0.84 fatalities in non-conflict countries. In countries with more intense conflict, terrorist attacks are generally more deadly. In 2017, nations at war experienced 2.97 fatalities per attack on average, compared to 1.36 in nations engaged in a minor armed conflict.
• The Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy has not had much real-world application. A thorough convention will offer a solid legal foundation for combating terrorism.
• Nations' failure to agree on a counterterrorism policy represents a global violation of human rights.
• The five nations most affected by terrorism—Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria, and Pakistan—have not changed. Since 2013, all of these nations have consistently been listed among the worst five.
• For the nations most affected by terrorism in 2017, conflict remained the main catalyst for terrorist activity.
• There are several explanations that could explain this disparity. Conflict-ridden nations are more likely to possess military-grade small guns and bomb-making equipment.

Global Action:

• The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) is responsible for leading and coordinating the UN system's efforts to prevent and combat terrorism and violent extremism worldwide.
• Under UNOCT, the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) encourages global collaboration in the fight against terrorism and assists the Member States in putting the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy into practise.
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) Terrorist Prevention Branch (TPB) is a key player in global efforts.
• It strives to support the Member States in their efforts to ratify, enact, and put into effect the global legal framework against terrorism.
• International standards are established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global organisation that monitors money laundering and terrorist funding with the goal of preventing these illicit actions and the harm they do to society.

Actions India Has Taken:

• India has been at the forefront of international efforts to combat terrorism and has consistently taken an active part in the promotion and defence of human rights.
• Cross-border terrorism has affected India, which recognised the problem long before the main world powers.
• It breaches the most fundamental human right, namely the right to life, and is a crime against humanity (Article 21).
• India has taken attempts to create Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on security and counterterrorism issues with other nations. Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) have been signed on a bilateral basis with other nations to make it easier to conduct criminal investigations, gather evidence, transfer witnesses, locate proceeds of crime, and take other related actions.
• At the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in 2018, India emphasised its call for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) (UNGA).
• India recommended adoption of CCIT to the UNGA in 1996 with the aim of giving counterterrorism a clear legal basis.
• The Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System significantly increases the ability of the Border Security Force (BSF) to identify and combat cross-border crimes such illegal infiltration, the smuggling of illegal products, human trafficking, and cross-border terrorism, among others.
• The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967 makes it possible to deal with terrorist activities and other associated issues while also more effectively preventing some unlawful acts of individuals and organisations.
• The National Investigation Agency is India's counterterrorism task force and has the authority to handle offences involving terrorism in all states without the governments' express consent.
• Zero-Tolerance Strategy Against Terrorism: India asks for zero-tolerance for terrorism and concentrates on creating an international plan to combat it.

Different Counterterrorism Operations:

• Operation Rakshak was a 1990 counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
• In 2003, the Indian army launched Operation Sarp Vinash to drive out militants from the Pir Panjal mountains in Jammu and Kashmir.
• 2017 saw the commencement of Operation All Out, a joint attack by Indian security forces aimed at eliminating terrorists and militants in Kashmir.

Way Forward

• Strong and Reformed Institutions: In order to effectively address these new problems, multilateral institutions and mechanisms must be strengthened and reformed.
• A concerted effort should be made to put pressure on nations that support state-sponsored terrorism by the nations most adversely affected by the scourge of terrorism.