3 February 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. The various challenges associated with AI-driven genetic testing

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11)

Introduction to the Human Genome Project

• The Human Genome Project, completed between 1990 and 2003, helped document human DNA and its building blocks.
• It revealed patterns that could predict the likelihood of genetic diseases or abnormalities.
• Initially, predictive tests were costly and available in limited cases like detecting Down’s Syndrome in fetuses or identifying effective cancer treatments.

AI’s Impact on Genomics

• AI has greatly enhanced the ability to process genetic information faster and in larger amounts.
• For instance, in March 2024, researchers identified important genetic code sequences linked to tumours, revealing new opportunities for cancer research and treatment.
• Startups are leveraging AI to process genetic data efficiently, uncover patterns, and predict genetic predispositions, offering personalized recommendations based on individual profiles.

Challenges in Genetic Predictions

Data Privacy and Security

• AI-driven genetic testing involves handling sensitive personal information, raising concerns about data breaches.
• Cases like 23andMe’s 2023 data breach highlight the risks associated with storing genetic data.
• Without strict regulations, personal genetic information can be misused or sold.

Ethical Issues

• Genetic testing raises ethical questions, especially around predicting mental health conditions or complex diseases.
• Ethical guidelines are essential to ensure that AI technologies are not misused for making life-altering decisions without informed consent.
• AI predictions might not always be accurate or complete, leading to potential harm.

Interpretation of Results

• AI tools can analyze large amounts of data but may struggle with interpreting complex genetic variations accurately.
• Some genetic variations may not have a clear significance, leading to “grey zones” in diagnosis.
• Misinterpretation could lead to unnecessary stress or false assurance for patients.

Over-Reliance on Genetics

• Genetics is just one factor in health, and over-relying on AI-driven genetic testing can neglect environmental and lifestyle factors.
• A person’s health or future should not be determined solely by genetic tests.
• Relying too much on AI predictions may lead to decisions that do not account for the full picture.

Accessibility and Cost

• AI-driven genetic testing can be expensive and may not be accessible to everyone.
• There are concerns that only wealthy individuals or developed regions will benefit from such technologies, widening healthcare inequality.

Conclusion

• AI in genetic testing offers great potential but comes with challenges.
• Ethical guidelines, data protection, and ensuring comprehensive healthcare approaches are necessary for its responsible use.

2. Uttarakhand UCC: Regulation of Live-in Relationships and Prohibited Degrees of Relationship

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained – Page No. – 18)

Analysis of the news:

Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

• The Uniform Civil Code is a law that seeks to establish a common set of legal provisions for all citizens, regardless of religion or community.
• It will standardise marriage, divorce, inheritance, property rights, and adoption laws.

UCC in Uttarakhand and Live-in Relationships

• The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code (UCC) mandates that couples in a live-in relationship, if falling within the “degrees of prohibited relationship,” must obtain permission from religious leaders and the registrar. 
• The Act defines 74 such relationships—37 for men and 37 for women—where marriage or cohabitation is restricted unless explicitly permitted by religious customs. 
• The registrar has the authority to reject registrations if they are deemed against public morality or customs.

Definition and Regulation of Live-in Relationships

• The UCC defines a live-in relationship as a cohabitation between a man and a woman in a shared household, either rented or owned. 
• While such relationships are generally recognized under the Act, exceptions apply in cases where the individuals are within the prohibited degrees of relationship. 
• Couples in such cases must provide proof of permissibility of marriage through certification from religious leaders, which the registrar verifies before granting approval.

Prohibited Relationships and Religious Approval

• Under the Act, relationships falling under “degrees of prohibited relationships” include first cousins and certain extended family members. 
• If a couple falls within these categories, they must obtain a certificate from their religious leader affirming that their customs allow such unions. 
• The registrar then conducts a summary inquiry to confirm the validity of the certificate and the permissibility of the relationship. 
• If customs do not allow it, registration is denied.

Comparison with the Hindu Marriage Act and Other Laws

• The UCC’s approach to prohibited relationships is largely derived from the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), which prohibits marriage within close family relations unless permitted by custom. 
• Similarly, Muslim personal law restricts marriage between individuals related by consanguinity, affinity, or fosterage. 
• The UCC follows a similar framework but extends these restrictions to live-in relationships, making registration conditional upon religious sanction in certain cases.

Implications and Exceptions

• According to the UCC Rules Framing Committee, religious approval is required only in rare cases where a pre-existing relationship falls under the prohibited category. 
• Since such marriages are uncommon in Uttarakhand, the regulation is expected to impact less than 1% of UCC registrations. 
• However, communities where such marriages are customary can still register their relationships by providing the required religious certificate. 
• This ensures flexibility while maintaining societal norms.

3. Escalation of Conflict in Eastern Congo

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 18)

Analysis of the news:

Conflict in Eastern Congo

• The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have expanded their offensive in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), capturing Goma and advancing south towards Bukavu in South Kivu province. 
• This marks a major escalation in a decades-old conflict driven by power struggles, ethnic tensions, and resource control, displacing over one million people and causing widespread devastation.

Current Situation and Military Advances

• The M23 rebels captured Goma on January 28, seizing control of the airport and facing limited resistance from Congolese forces, many of whom surrendered. 
• By January 30, they had consolidated control over the city and begun advancing southward into South Kivu, engaging Congolese troops and allied Burundian forces. 
• Reports from the UN suggest Rwandan troops have also crossed into South Kivu, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

Who Are the M23 Rebels?

• M23, named after the March 23, 2009, peace agreement, is a Tutsi-led insurgent group that accuses the Congolese government of failing to integrate Congolese Tutsis into the army and administration. 
• It fights primarily against ethnic Hutu militias such as the FDLR, a group formed by Hutus involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. 
• Since 2022, M23 has held Rubaya, a coltan-mining region, generating nearly $800,000 per month through mining taxes.

Rwanda’s Role and Regional Implications

• The DRC, UN, and Western nations have accused Rwanda of directly supporting M23, citing a 2022 UN report with evidence of Rwandan troops fighting alongside the rebels. 
• Rwanda denies these claims, arguing that its actions are defensive and accusing the DRC of collaborating with the FDLR, which threatens Tutsi communities. 
• The conflict risks escalating into a regional war involving multiple countries, deepening instability in Central Africa.

About Democratic Republic of Congo

The DRC is 2nd largest country in Africa and the 11th largest in the world. It has a small coastline with the Atlantic Ocean. DRC is bounded to the north by the Central African Republic and South Sudan; to the east by Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania; to the southeast by Zambia; and to the southwest by Angola. Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, is located on the Congo River, the only river to cross the equator twice in Africa. The official language is French, but other languages include Kituba, Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba. Katanga Plateau is considered to be a rich mining region, which supplies cobalt, copper, tin, radium, uranium, and diamonds.

4. World Wetlands Day 2025, themed ‘Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future’

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2098981&reg=3&lang=1 )

World Wetlands Day:

• World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February 2 to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands.
• The theme for World Wetlands Day 2025 is “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”
• It marks the adoption of the Ramsar Convention in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, focusing on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
• The theme for each year highlights key issues related to wetlands and their conservation.
• Wetlands provide critical ecosystem services such as water filtration, carbon storage, and supporting biodiversity.
• They are essential for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Protecting wetlands is crucial for ensuring water security and safeguarding ecosystems worldwide.

Prelims Facts

1. Trump slaps 25% tariff on imports from Canada, Mexico; additional 10% duty for Chinese goods

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 1)

Analysis of the news:

• Tariff Details: Canadian and Mexican exports to the U.S. will face a 25% tariff, except for energy resources from Canada, which will have a 10% levy. Chinese goods will face an additional 10% tariff.
• National Emergency Justification: Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, stating that illegal immigration and drugs, including fentanyl, pose a national emergency.
• Economic Impact on the U.S.: Trump acknowledged that Americans might experience economic “pain” but justified it as necessary for securing U.S. interests.
• Retaliation by Affected Countries:
  • China promised countermeasures and a WTO claim.
  • Mexico announced Plan B, including tariffs and trade measures.
  • Canada imposed 25% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods worth US$106.6 billion.
• European Union’s Response: The EU warned it would retaliate firmly if Trump imposed tariffs on European goods.

2. Green cardamom’s new relatives include two newly identified species from Kerala

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 3)

Analysis of the news:

• Cardamom, known for its strong flavor and aroma, has six close relatives, not just one as previously thought.
• An international team of scientists discovered these relatives, four of which were previously classified under a different group called Alpinia.
• Two new species of cardamom were identified in Kerala’s Western Ghats, specifically from the Periyar Tiger Reserve and Agasthyamalai hills.
• The findings, published in the journal Taxon, now place seven species under the Elettaria genus, including the widely known green cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum.
• This discovery could potentially improve spice farming in the future, as these related species may have overlooked genetic resources useful for production.

3. After Manipur, Assam destroys poppy plantations

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

About Poppy Plant:

• Poppy is a flowering plant of the genus Papaver, most commonly associated with Papaver somniferum.
• The plant is widely cultivated for its seeds, which are used in cooking, and for its latex, which produces opium.
• Opium is processed to create narcotics such as morphine and heroin.
• Poppy cultivation is illegal in many countries due to its connection to drug production.
• In some regions, poppy farming is a major issue, contributing to the illegal drug trade.
• The plant requires specific growing conditions, such as well-drained soil and a moderate climate.
• Poppy cultivation is banned in most countries due to its illicit drug potential.

4. Telangana’s Caste Survey Reveals Backward Classes Form 56.33% of Population

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Govt & Politics- Page No. – 10)

Analysis of the news:

Backward Classes: Majority Population in Telangana

• The recent Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste Survey in Telangana reveals that Backward Classes (BCs) constitute 56.33% of the state’s population, amounting to 1.99 crore people. 
• Among them, BC Muslims form 10.08% of the total population. 
• The survey data highlights the demographic dominance of BCs, which will play a crucial role in shaping welfare policies.

Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Castes

• The survey finds that Scheduled Castes (SCs) make up 17.43% (61.84 lakh), while Scheduled Tribes (STs) account for 10.45% (37.05 lakh) of Telangana’s population. 
• Other Castes (OCs) constitute 15.79% (44.21 lakh), indicating a more balanced caste distribution compared to many other states.

Muslim Population and Caste Classification

• Telangana’s Muslim population stands at 12.56% (44.57 lakh). Within this, BC Muslims form the majority at 10.08%, while OC Muslims make up 2.48%. 
• The data suggests that a substantial section of the Muslim community falls within the backward class category, influencing social and political considerations.

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