Current Affair 1:

News:

Digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources emerged as a cross-cutting issue during the UN Biodiversity Conference in 2016.

Digital Sequence Information (DSI) refers to the genetic information of organisms that is stored digitally.

Imagine the DNA of a plant, animal, or microbe as a "recipe" for making that organism. Scientists can take this DNA sequence, which is a series of letters (like A, T, C, and G), and turn it into data on a computer. This data can then be shared, studied, or used for research without needing the physical DNA sample.

DSI and its implications, including for access and benefit-sharing, are currently being discussed under various instruments, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the WHO Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Significance of DSI:

1. Research: It can aid in biological research like understanding evolution of life, bioprospecting (systematic search for useful products from bio resources) etc.
2. E.g. virologists used SARSCoV-2 DSI to design diagnostic kits for COVID-19
3. Agriculture and food security: Helps develop pest-resistant, high-yield, and climate-resilient crop varieties.
4. Species conservation: Help identify and mitigate risks to threatened species, track illegal trade etc.

 

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