Current Affairs Quiz 12 February 2024

Gene Editing Technology
• It refers to technology that permits the change of an organism’s DNA by allowing genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome.
• It includes techniques like Zinc Finger Nucleases, Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), CRISPR–Cas9 Editors, and Prime Editors, that can be used to repair, modulate, replace, or add genes to achieve a desired genotype.
• Its applications include correcting genetic defects, treating and preventing the spread of diseases and improving crops etc.

About
• Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is aimed at connecting the port of Kolkata with the port of Sittwe in Rakhine which would then be connected to Mizoram by road and the Kaladan river which flows by Paletwa.
• India entered into a Framework Agreement in 2008.
• Aim: It aims to create a multi-modal mode of transport for shipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar as well as to the North-Eastern part of India through Myanmar.
• Road Connectivity: It involves building roads to connect Mizoram state in northeastern India to the port of Sittwe in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
• Development of Inland Waterways: The project includes the development of inland waterways along the Kaladan River, providing an alternative mode of transportation for cargo between India and Myanmar.
• Construction of a Multi-Modal Terminal: A multi-modal terminal is being constructed at the port of Sittwe to facilitate the transfer of goods between different modes of transportation, such as ships and trucks.

MGNREGA Scheme
• It is an employment scheme by the Ministry of Rural Development.
• It provides at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled work.
Eligibility:
• Any Indian citizen above the age of 18 years and residing in a rural area can apply to this scheme.
• The applicant receives guaranteed employment within 15 days from the date of application.

What is KFD?
• History: The disease was first noticed in the Kyasanur Forest area of Sorab Taluk in Shimoga district in 1956-57, and was named after the region.
• Cause: Monkey fever is caused by the Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV), a member of the Flaviviridae virus family.
• Transmission: The disease is transmitted to humans primarily through tick bites or contact with an infected animal, particularly a sick or recently deceased monkey.
o Human beings who visit the forest area either for livelihood, to graze cattle, or to collect firewood contract the disease. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission.
Symptoms
• It starts to appear three to eight days after the bite of an infectious tick.
• Fever, redness of the eyes, severe headache, and body pain are common symptoms.
• Three-four days after the onset of initial symptoms, the patient may have gastro-intenstinal symptoms. In severe cases, bleeding from the nose is noted.
Diagnosis
• It can be made in the early stages through molecular detection by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or virus isolation from blood.
• Later on, serologic testing using enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA) can be performed.
Treatment
• There is no specific treatment for KFD. Management of the disease includes early hospitalization and supportive therapy.
• This entails maintaining hydration and taking precautions for patients with bleeding disorders.

THE Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2024.
• The Bill explicitly bans polygamy in the state.

Data Analysis
• Government data on polygamy can be obtained from two main sources — the decadal census and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS).
o The NFHS-5 : It showed the prevalence of polygamy (the percentage of women who reported their husbands had other wives) was highest among Christians (2.1%), followed by Muslims (1.9%), and Hindus (1.3%), looking at religion.
 Overall, Scheduled Tribes reported the highest incidence at 2.4%.
o Census data : According to the census of 2011, there are 28.65 crore married men in India, compared to 29.3 crore married women. The difference between the two numbers — 65.71 lakh — can be explained either by the incidence of polygamy or men gone abroad.