-Newsclick.in There is no evidence either of the subvariant being particularly more transmissible than other variants of the Omicron lineage, according to the eminent immunologist. BF.7, the new Omicron subvariant which has triggered a surge in China, has also been detected in India. Till the filing of this article, India hadrecorded only four BF.7 cases. New precautionary measures taken by the government, including advisories on wearing masks in public places and avoiding...

-The Telegraph SARSon Satyagraha has claimed that India is nearly self-sufficient in mustard oil production New Delhi: A group of farmers and scientists on Friday announced its intention to step up resistance against what they view as the Centre’s moves towards the release of genetically modified mustard for commercial cultivation. “We will activate all possible democratic and non-violent avenues available to us and ensure that GM mustard planting does not end up being...

-Deccan Herald With the general elections a little over a year away, a nod for GM food crops could turn out to be as contentious an issue for the BJP By suddenly giving its nod for the environmental release of genetically modified (GM) herbicide mustard crop - the first edible crop that may enter the food chain in India - the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has stirred a hornet's nest. The...

-Down to Earth Developing countries feel digital sequence information provides a loophole through which developed countries can circumvent the Convention of Biodiversity Negotiations on how to regulate the use of digital sequence information (DSI) of genetic resources could further delay the finalisation of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The process has already been delayed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast potential of...

-The Hindu The method can reveal trends in viral loads, infections due to new viruses, AMR genes and act as advance warning system In ensuring sufficient precautions and preventive measures be taken in pandemic-driven situations, a very important estimate is of the number of people infected, regions where infection is high and decreasing or increasing trends in viral load. Based on this, civic bodies can decide on targeted vaccination drives, lockdowns and...