Ethical Issues Questions in English

(B) The Indian Parliament has cleared the $2^{nd}$ amendment of the Indian Patents Bill. This amendment addresses issues related to patent terms,emergency provisions,and research exemptions,which are crucial for the regulation of biological resources and the protection of traditional knowledge in the context of biotechnology.

(B) Biopiracy is the term used to refer to the use of bioresources by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned without compensatory payment.

(D) The consumption of transgenic (genetically modified) food raises several safety concerns.
$1$. Toxicity: There is a risk that the introduced genes might produce proteins that are toxic to humans.
$2$. Allergic reactions: The introduction of new genes can lead to the production of novel proteins that may trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.
$3$. Antibiotic resistance: The use of antibiotic resistance marker genes in the process of genetic engineering poses a risk that these genes might be transferred to the microorganisms present in the human alimentary canal,potentially leading to the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Therefore,all the mentioned risks are associated with transgenic food.

(D) Genetically modified $(GM)$ crops are often criticized due to concerns regarding biosafety. One of the primary reasons they are considered undesirable by some groups is the potential for the introduction of new allergens or toxins into the food supply,which could pose health risks to consumers. While economic and taste factors are debated,the safety concern regarding toxicity and allergenicity is a significant scientific and ethical argument against their widespread adoption.

(A) The correct answer is $A$.
Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable results when such organisms are introduced into the ecosystem.
Therefore,the Government of India has set up organizations such as $GEAC$ (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee).
This committee makes decisions regarding the validity of $GM$ research and the safety of introducing $GM$ organisms for public services.

(B) Biopiracy is the term used to refer to the use of bio-resources by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned,and without compensatory payment. This practice involves exploiting biological resources or traditional knowledge of indigenous communities for commercial gain without providing any benefit or credit to the original owners.

(D) Biopiracy refers to the unauthorized use of bio-resources and traditional knowledge by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned,and without making compensatory payments.
Statement $(I)$ correctly defines the core concept of biopiracy.
Statement $(II)$ describes a consequence or a target of biopiracy,where traditional knowledge is exploited for commercial gain.
Statement $(III)$ describes the global response to biopiracy,where nations are enacting laws to prevent such unauthorized exploitation.
Since all three statements describe aspects related to the definition,impact,and prevention of biopiracy,the correct option is $I, II$ and $III$.

(D) Biopiracy is the term used to refer to the use of bioresources by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned without compensatory payment.

(B) The exploitation of bioresources of a nation by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the concerned country and without compensatory payment is known as $Biopiracy$.
This often involves the unauthorized use of traditional knowledge or biological resources for commercial gain.
$Bioethics$ refers to the study of ethical issues arising from biological research.
$Bioweapon$ and $Biowar$ refer to the use of biological agents as weapons in warfare.

(N/A) The $GEAC$ stands for $Genetic$ $Engineering$ $Appraisal$ $Committee$.
Its primary functions are:
$1$. To make decisions regarding the validity of $GM$ (Genetically Modified) research.
$2$. To assess the safety of introducing $GM$ organisms for public services.
It is an organization set up by the Indian Government to regulate the manipulation of living organisms and ensure that genetic modification does not have unpredictable or harmful results when introduced into the ecosystem.

(N/A) Bio-patent is a patent granted by a government to an inventor for biological entities and products derived from them.
$1$. Many researchers conduct studies for human welfare. The intellectual property rights for these inventions are granted to the specific researcher or organization.
$2$. Governments grant patents to ensure that the economic benefits of such research are accessible to the inventor.
$3$. There is growing public concern regarding companies obtaining patents for products and technologies that utilize genetic materials,plants,and other biological resources that have long been identified,developed,and used by farmers and indigenous communities.
$4$. For example,$200,000$ varieties of rice exist in India. Basmati rice,known for its unique aroma and flavor,has $27$ documented varieties grown in India for centuries,with references in ancient texts and folklore.
$5$. In $1997$,an American company obtained patent rights for Basmati rice from the $US$ Patent and Trademark Office,allowing them to sell a new variety derived from Indian farmers' varieties (crossed with semi-dwarf varieties) as an 'invention'.
$6$. This patent could restrict others from selling Basmati rice. Similar attempts have been made to patent traditional Indian knowledge,such as the medicinal properties of turmeric and neem.
$7$. Vigilance is required to counter such patent applications to protect our rich biological legacy and traditional knowledge.

(N/A) Biopiracy is the term used to refer to the use of bio-resources by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned,and without compensatory payment.
Most industrialized nations are financially rich but poor in biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
In contrast,the developing and underdeveloped world is rich in biodiversity and traditional knowledge related to bio-resources.
Traditional knowledge related to bio-resources can be exploited to develop modern applications.
$\Rightarrow$ It can also be used to save time,effort,and expenditure during their commercialization.
There has been a growing realization of the injustice,inadequate compensation,and lack of benefit-sharing between developed and developing countries.
Therefore,some nations are developing laws to prevent such unauthorized exploitation of their bio-resources and traditional knowledge.
The Indian Parliament has recently cleared the second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill,which takes such issues into consideration,including patent terms,emergency provisions,and research and development initiatives.

(N/A) Biopiracy is the term used to refer to the use of bio-resources by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned and without compensatory payment.
Most industrialized nations are financially rich but poor in biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
In contrast,the developing and underdeveloped world is rich in biodiversity and traditional knowledge related to bio-resources.
Traditional knowledge related to bio-resources can be exploited to develop modern applications.
It can also be used to save time,effort,and expenditure during their commercialization.
There has been a growing realization of the injustice,inadequate compensation,and lack of benefit sharing between developed and developing countries.
Therefore,some nations are developing laws to prevent such unauthorized exploitation of their bio-resources and traditional knowledge.
The Indian Parliament has recently cleared the second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill,which takes such issues into consideration,including patent terms,emergency provisions,and research and development initiatives.

(N/A) $Biopiracy$ is the term used to refer to the use of bio-resources by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned,and without compensatory payment.
Most industrialized nations are financially rich but poor in biodiversity and traditional knowledge. In contrast,developing and underdeveloped nations are rich in biodiversity and traditional knowledge related to bio-resources.
Traditional knowledge related to bio-resources can be exploited to develop modern applications and can also be used to save time,effort,and expenditure during their commercialization.
There has been a growing realization of the injustice,inadequate compensation,and lack of benefit sharing between developed and developing countries. Therefore,many nations are developing laws to prevent such unauthorized exploitation of their bio-resources and traditional knowledge.
The Indian Parliament has cleared the second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill,which takes such issues into consideration,including patent terms,emergency provisions,and research and development initiatives.

(N/A) patent is a legal right granted by the government to an inventor for their invention. It provides the inventor with exclusive rights to prevent others from making,using,or selling the invention for a specified period,thereby protecting the inventor's intellectual property and allowing them to benefit financially from their innovation.

(N/A) Biopiracy is the term used to refer to the use of bio-resources by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned,and without compensatory payment.
Most of the industrialized and developed nations are rich financially but poor in biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
On the other hand,the developing and underdeveloped world is rich in biodiversity and traditional knowledge related to bio-resources.
Traditional knowledge related to bio-resources can be exploited to develop modern applications and can also be used to save time,effort,and expenditure during their commercialization.

(B) The manipulation of living organisms by humanity cannot continue without regulation. Ethical standards are required to evaluate the morality of human activities that might affect living organisms. Beyond morality,the biological significance is critical. Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable and potentially harmful results when such organisms are introduced into the ecosystem,as they may disrupt natural food chains or outcompete native species.

(A) The Indian Parliament cleared the second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill to address critical issues such as patent terms,emergency provisions,and research and development initiatives. This amendment ensures that the patent system remains balanced,protecting the rights of inventors while safeguarding public interest and promoting innovation in the country.

(N/A) $(i)$ Rice is an important food grain,the presence of which goes back thousands of years in Asia's agricultural history. There are an estimated $200,000$ varieties of rice in India alone. The diversity of rice in India is one of the richest in the world. Basmati rice is distinct for its unique aroma and flavour,and $27$ documented varieties of Basmati are grown in India.
$(ii)$ There is a reference to Basmati in ancient texts,folklore,and poetry,indicating its long-standing cultural and historical association with the Indian subcontinent.

(N/A) Ignoring traditional knowledge can prove costly in the area of biological patenting because:
$1$. Most industrialized nations are financially rich but poor in biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
$2$. In contrast,developing and underdeveloped nations are rich in biodiversity and traditional knowledge related to bio-resources.
$3$. Traditional knowledge can be exploited to develop modern applications,saving significant time,effort,and expenditure during commercialization.
$4$. There is a growing realization of the injustice,inadequate compensation,and lack of benefit-sharing between developed and developing countries.
$5$. Consequently,many nations are now developing strict laws to prevent the unauthorized exploitation of their bio-resources and traditional knowledge,often referred to as biopiracy.

(D) In $1997$, an American company named RiceTec Inc. was granted a patent by the $US$ Patent and Trademark Office for 'Basmati rice lines and grains'. This action was highly controversial as Basmati rice is a traditional variety indigenous to India and Pakistan.

(C) The correct answer is $C$ (Bioethics).
$1$. Bioethics refers to the set of standards and rules that regulate the moral conduct of humans in their interactions with biological resources.
$2$. These ethical standards are designed to prevent the unauthorised exploitation of bio-resources and traditional knowledge by multinational companies and other organisations,a practice known as Biopiracy.
$3$. Biopiracy involves the use of bio-resources without proper authorisation from the concerned countries and people,and without providing compensatory payment.

(A) The most realistic environmental concern regarding the release of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) is their potential to interact with existing ecosystems in unpredictable ways.
While options like the destruction of oil deposits are unlikely due to the specific conditions required for such processes, the primary concern is the horizontal gene transfer or mutations that could lead to the emergence of new, potentially harmful strains.
Specifically, there is a risk that these engineered bacteria could undergo mutations or genetic recombination, potentially acquiring traits that make them pathogenic to humans or other organisms, thereby disrupting ecological balance.

(A) Genetic engineering involves the manipulation of the genetic material of organisms. If this technology is mishandled or used without proper ethical and safety protocols, it can lead to the loss of genetic diversity in natural populations, a phenomenon known as $Genetic \text{ erosion}$. The other options, such as Green, Silver, and White revolutions, refer to advancements in agriculture, poultry, and dairy production, respectively, and are not negative consequences of genetic engineering.

(B) Some nations are developing laws to prevent the unauthorized exploitation of their bioresources and traditional knowledge. To address these issues,the Indian Parliament has cleared the second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill,which takes such concerns into consideration.

(B) Biopiracy is the unauthorized use of biological resources and traditional knowledge of other countries or indigenous communities without proper compensation or legal permission.
For example,an Indian Basmati rice variety was crossed with a semi-dwarf variety and claimed as a new variety by a $USA$ company,which filed for a patent. This is a classic case of biopiracy.

(A) Bioethics refers to the study of the ethical issues emerging from advances in biology and medicine. It encompasses the rules of conduct that regulate human activities in relation to the biological world,ensuring that scientific research and technological applications are performed responsibly and morally.

(B) patent is a form of intellectual property right granted by the government to an inventor. It provides the inventor with a monopoly over their invention for a specific period. This monopoly is granted to a person who has either invented a new and useful article,made an improvement in an existing article,or invented a new process of making an article.

(B) Statement $I$ is true: Biowar refers to the use of biological agents or weapons against humans,their crops,and animals to cause harm or death.
Statement $II$ is false: The unauthorized use of bioresources and traditional knowledge for commercial benefits is known as 'Biopiracy',not 'Bioethics'. Bioethics is the study of ethical issues arising from biological research and its applications.
Statement $III$ is false: Exploitation of bioresources of other nations without proper authorization is also defined as 'Biopiracy',not 'Biopatent'. $A$ Biopatent is a patent granted for biological inventions or processes.

(C) India is a country rich in traditions, communal knowledge, and expertise in natural medicines, spices, food preparation, biological pesticides, and diverse agriculture. This makes it a target for biopiracy.
According to the $NCERT$ textbook, Western nations have attempted to patent or have successfully patented several Indian biological resources. These include Basmati rice $(Oryza \text{ } sativa)$, turmeric $(Curcuma \text{ } longa)$, and neem $(Azadirachta \text{ } indica)$.
Therefore, $I$, $II$, and $III$ are the correct examples mentioned in the context of biopiracy.

(D) The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee $(GEAC)$ was established by the Ministry of Environment and Forests to regulate research,testing,and the commercial release of $GM$ crops,food,and organisms.
The aims and objectives of $GEAC$ include:
$(i)$ To permit the use of $GM$ organisms and their products for commercial applications.
$(ii)$ To adopt procedures for the restriction,production,scale,import,export,and application of $GM$ organisms.
$(iii)$ To grant approval for conducting large-scale field trials and the release of transgenic crops into the environment.
$(iv)$ To authorize agencies or persons to engage in large-scale production and the release of $GM$ organisms into the environment,or to curb and take punitive action against them.
Since all three statements ($I, II,$ and $III$) are part of the functions of $GEAC$,the correct option is $D$.

(C) The Indian Parliament has cleared the second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill.
This amendment addresses various issues,including patent terms,emergency provisions,and research and development initiatives,to ensure that patent laws are robust and fair.

(B) Biopiracy is the unauthorized exploitation of biological resources and traditional knowledge of indigenous communities by multinational companies or other organizations without providing any compensatory payment or benefit-sharing.
Bioethics refers to the study of ethical issues arising from advances in biology and medicine.
Bioterrorism involves the intentional release of biological agents to cause harm.
$A$ bioweapon is a biological agent used as a weapon to cause disease or death.

(C) The use of antibiotic-resistant genes as selectable markers in $GM$ food production poses significant biosafety concerns.
$1$. $(A)$ is a valid concern because the expression of the antibiotic resistance gene produces a protein (enzyme) that acts as a foreign substance in the human body,potentially triggering allergic reactions.
$2$. $(B)$ and $(C)$ are valid concerns because horizontal gene transfer can occur in the human gut. Bacteria in the alimentary canal may uptake the antibiotic resistance gene from the ingested $GM$ food,leading to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains,which poses a major public health risk.
$3$. $(D)$ is a concern related to environmental biosafety (gene flow to wild relatives),but it is not a direct consequence of using an antibiotic-resistant gene as a selectable marker; rather,it is a general risk associated with $GM$ crops.
Therefore,statements $(A), (B),$ and $(C)$ are the direct consequences of using antibiotic-resistant genes as selectable markers in $GM$ food production.

(A) The $GEAC$ (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee) is a statutory body established by the Indian Government under the Environment Protection Act,$1986$.
Its primary function is to evaluate the safety and validity of research involving Genetically Modified $(GM)$ organisms and to approve their release into the environment for public use.
This regulatory oversight is necessary because the introduction of $GM$ organisms into the ecosystem can lead to unpredictable and potentially harmful ecological consequences,such as gene flow to wild relatives or disruption of food webs.
Therefore,the Reason provides a valid justification for the existence and function of the $GEAC$ described in the Assertion.
Thus,both statements are correct and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

(A) Assertion $(A)$ is correct because many nations are implementing laws to prevent biopiracy,which is the unauthorised exploitation of bioresources and traditional knowledge by multinational companies or other organisations.
Reason $(R)$ is also correct because Brazzein,a sweet protein extracted from the West African plant $Pentadiplandra$ $brazzeana$,was patented in the $U.S.A.$ without acknowledging or compensating the local people who had traditional knowledge of its properties. This is a classic example of biopiracy.
Since the Reason provides a specific instance of the unauthorised exploitation mentioned in the Assertion,it serves as a correct explanation for why such laws are being developed.

(B) Biopiracy is the term used to refer to the use of bioresources by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned without compensatory payment. This practice involves the unauthorized appropriation of biological resources and traditional knowledge.

(A) Statement $I$ is true: The Indian Government has set up the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee $(\text{GEAC})$,which makes decisions regarding the validity of $\text{GM}$ research and the safety of introducing $\text{GM}$ organisms for public services.
Statement $II$ is false: Biopiracy refers to the unauthorized use of bio-resources and traditional knowledge by multinational companies and other organizations from other countries without proper authorization or compensation to the native people or countries. It is not the use of bio-resources by the native people themselves.

(C) The correct answer is $CSIR$ (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research).
In the $1990s$,the United States Patent and Trademark Office $(USPTO)$ granted a patent for the wound-healing properties of turmeric to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
The $CSIR$ (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) of India challenged this patent by providing evidence of traditional knowledge,demonstrating that the medicinal use of turmeric was known in India for centuries.
As a result,the $USPTO$ cancelled the patent,marking a significant victory for the protection of traditional knowledge against biopiracy.

(C) biopiracy.
Biopiracy refers to the unauthorized use of bioresources and traditional knowledge by companies or individuals without obtaining proper legal permission or compensation from the concerned indigenous people or countries.