Daily Current Affairs 31 July 2023 – IAS Current Affairs
Current Affairs 31 July 2023 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :
Human Challenge Studies
Source: The Hindu
GS II: Health
Overview
- News in Brief
- About Human Challenge Studies
Why in News?
On July 17, the ICMR Bioethics Unit posted the consensus policy statement for the ethical conduct of controlled human infection studies (CHIS), also known as human challenge studies, in India.
About the Studies
- It is also known as controlled human infection studies or CHIS.
Photo by Nguyễn Hiệp on Unsplash - Its application in understanding infectious diseases.
- It studies involve deliberately exposing human volunteers to disease-causing pathogens to gain insights into various facets of infection and disease pathogenesis.
- These studies are conducted to supplement traditional human clinical trials and to speed up the process of finding safe and effective interventions like drugs or vaccines.
- The need for undertaking the studies is driven by the high disease burden and mortality from infectious diseases in countries like India.
- These studies can provide valuable insights into infectious agents, their transmission, and potential prevention strategies.
Safe Guarding Participants
- Special safeguards are put in place to reduce harm to participants in studies.
- The infectious agents used are typically well-known and studied, and less virulent forms of the pathogens are often used to minimize risks.
- Additionally, a rescue remedy is made available to prevent the disease from progressing to a severe form, ensuring the safety of participants.
Ethical Challenges
- Undertaking human challenge studies poses ethical dilemmas since individuals are deliberately subjected to pathogens, leading to a multifaceted ethical issue.
- It is of utmost importance to guarantee that informed consent is provided and that criteria for the exclusion of participants with pre-existing medical conditions are cautiously examined as integral components of ethical considerations.
Consensus Policy of ICMR
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has posted a consensus policy statement for the ethical conduct of studies in India.
- According to the statement, only healthy individuals in the 18-45 years age group will be enrolled.
- Children, pregnant or lactating women, and those planning to conceive during the study period will not be enrolled, unless deemed appropriate.
- The amount of payment for participation will be mentioned in the consent form but will be revealed to the volunteer only after they have consented to participate.
- Studies represent a unique approach to studying infectious diseases, and their ethical conduct is of utmost importance to safeguard the well-being of the participants and to ensure the validity and reliability of the research findings.Options
Cocos Islands Australia
Source: The Hindu
GS II: International Relations
Overview
- News in Brief
- About Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Concerns in the region
Why in News?
Expanding the strategic reach of the Indian military and improving interoperability with Australia, an Indian Navy Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130 transport aircraft visited Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) in the Southern Indian Ocean, close to Indonesia and strategic maritime choke points earlier this month, diplomatic and official sources confirmed.
News in Brief
- The region from the east coast of Africa to the western shores of Australia is the primary area of responsibility of the Indian Navy.
- North-eastern part of the Indian Ocean is a priority area for Australia as described in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Cocos (Keeling) Islands are used by India and Australia respectively for surveillance and reconnaissance.
About Cocos (Keeling) Islands
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, also known simply as the Cocos Islands, is a remote group of islands located in the Indian Ocean. They are an external territory of Australia and are situated approximately 2,750 kilometers (1,708 miles) northwest of Perth, Western Australia, and about 900 kilometers (560 miles) southwest of Christmas Island.
Key facts about the Cocos (Keeling) Islands:
- Geography: The Cocos Islands consist of 27 coral atolls, with only two of them, West Island and Home Island, being inhabited. The total land area of all the islands combined is approximately 14 square kilometers.
- History: The islands were originally uninhabited until they were discovered by English explorer Captain William Keeling in 1609. In the 19th century, the islands became part of the British Empire, and in 1955, they were transferred to Australian jurisdiction.
- Demographics: As of my last update in September 2021, the population of the Cocos Islands is relatively small, with most residents living on West Island and Home Island. The majority of the population has Cocos Malay ancestry, and English is commonly spoken.
- Government: The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an external territory of Australia, administered by the Australian government. The islands have their local government known as the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, which is responsible for providing essential services to the residents.
- Economy: The economy of the Cocos Islands is largely dependent on tourism, coconut plantations, and fishing. Tourism is limited due to the remote location of the islands.
- Culture and Language: The Cocos Malay culture has a significant influence on the islands’ traditions and way of life. Cocos Malays speak a creole language known as Cocos Malay, which is a blend of Malay and English.
- Tourism: Despite their remote location, the Cocos Islands offer visitors beautiful sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and unique marine life, making them an attractive destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.
- Time Zone: The Cocos Islands are in the Australian Western Standard Time zone (AWST) and do not observe Daylight Saving Time.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are known for their natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere, making them a tranquil getaway for those seeking a peaceful retreat. The islands’ remoteness and small population contribute to their unique charm and allure to travelers looking for a more off-the-beaten-path destination.
Concerns in the region
- The presence of Chinese research vessels, submarines, and underwater drones operating in the Indian Ocean has indeed raised concerns among countries in the region, including India and Australia.
- China’s growing maritime activities in the Indian Ocean are seen as part of its broader geopolitical and strategic interests.
- The region is vital for trade, energy routes, and overall security.
- India and Australia, along with other regional stakeholders, will continue to monitor developments in the Indian Ocean.
How is the region important for India and Australia?
- For India and Australia, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for India and territories in the Indian Ocean for Australia, offer strategic advantages for strengthening maritime surveillance.
- These island territories serve as important geographical locations for monitoring and safeguarding the Indian Ocean’s maritime domain.
- By enhancing maritime surveillance in the region, India and Australia can improve their maritime domain awareness.
- Awareness is crucial for detecting and responding to potential security threats, including illicit activities like piracy, smuggling, and unauthorized naval operations.
- Building regional partnerships helps in pooling resources and intelligence, enhancing interoperability, and collectively addressing maritime security challenges.
Some key objectives and strategies that India and Australia might pursue in response to the growing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean include:
- Increased Naval Cooperation: Strengthening naval cooperation through joint exercises, information sharing, and coordinated patrolling to enhance maritime security in the region.
- Maritime Domain Awareness: Investing in advanced surveillance technologies, such as radar systems, maritime patrol aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles, to improve real-time monitoring and detection capabilities.
- Information Sharing: Facilitating the exchange of intelligence and information on maritime activities among partner countries to have a comprehensive view of the maritime environment.
- Capacity Building: Assisting smaller littoral states in the region with training, equipment, and capacity-building initiatives to improve their own maritime surveillance capabilities.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Engaging in diplomatic efforts to address concerns related to freedom of navigation, adherence to international maritime laws, and maintaining a rules-based order in the Indian Ocean.
- Multilateral Forums: Active participation in multilateral forums, such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Quad (comprising India, Australia, the United States, and Japan), to strengthen regional cooperation on maritime security.
ULLAS mobile application
Source: PIB
GS II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate
Overview
- News in Brief
- How it helps
Why in News?
The Prime Minister inaugurated Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 3rd anniversary of NEP 2020.
- Launched the logo, slogan-Jan Jan Sakshar and mobile application of ULLAS: Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
About ULLAS Mobile Application
- The ULLAS initiative, stands for Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society.
- It aims to transform education and literacy throughout the country.
- The initiative is creating a learning ecosystem that encompasses every individual, bridging gaps in basic literacy and critical life skills.
- It provides basic education, digital and financial literacy, and critical life skills to citizens aged 15 and above who were unable to attend school.
- The initiative is being implemented through volunteerism.
- New logo and slogan, “ULLAS: Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram,”.
- The ULLAS app can be used for registration of learners and volunteers either through self-registration or by surveyors.
- ULLAS will focus on promoting functional literacy, vocational skills, and many important life skills like financial literacy, legal literacy, digital literacy, and empowerment of citizens to involve in nation-building of the country.
- It also fosters a culture of continuous learning and knowledge-sharing in communities across India.
Daily Current Affairs : Click Here