THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 05 June 2020 (Making Research Atmanirbhar (Indian Express))

Making Research Atmanirbhar (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 3:Science and Tech
Prelims level: Indian Council of Medical Research
Mains level: Role of ICMR in research and innovations

Context:

• Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, we would often refer to science-fiction for cutting edge research such as brain transplants or bioengineering.
• By going through in three decades of work in clinical medicine and medical research, we never have come across something that has transformed the global health landscape as much as the humble vaccine.

Importance of vaccines:

• The vaccines have always been the frontrunners in saving lives: With their help, we are able to prevent the death of two to three million children globally every year.
• The vaccines used to ....................................................................................................

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Innovation and research:

• While developing a vaccine for COVID-19 is a global health priority, a comprehensive approach is also required towards fast-tracking the development of vaccines to tackle emerging diseases.
• India is one of the largest producers and exporters of vaccines in the world. In fact, many vaccines in the national immunisation programme are produced in India and manufactured by Indian companies.
• This has been made possible through regular investments in ramping up our manufacturing capacity through programmes like Make In India. However, innovation and research in vaccines have not been adequately prioritised.
• India needs early-stage financial investment to propel a research and innovation ecosystem for the development of new vaccines.

Indian Council of Medical Research’s innovation:

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has made great strides in that direction — it has developed effective vaccines against Japanese encephalitis (JENVAC), shigella (technology transfer to Hillman Labs) and the Kyasanur forest disease.
• ICMR has also provided ...........................................................................................

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Steps in the right direction:

• But to make India a global leader, there should be concerted efforts to activate the triple-helix model of innovation that involves intensifying collaboration between research institutes, industry, and the government.
• We need to approach research and innovation from the bottom-up — this means increasing research in biotechnology, medical innovation, and public health at the university level.
• The ICMR is in the process of setting up the National Institute of One Health to study zoonotic diseases, enabled by the Rs 20-lakh-crore package recently announced by the government.
• But more work needs to be done. One lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic is that we need more than one research institute to study zoonotic diseases.

Way forward:

• The government and academia must come together to prioritise the development of cost-effective tools of public health importance like vaccines.
• The country needs a .............................................................................

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the Long Range Forecast (LRF), consider the following statements:
1. Each year, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues LRF in two stages.
2. According to the Second Stage Long Range Forecast for Southwest Monsoon Season Rainfall from July to September, the country will receive a normal monsoon rainfall this year.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer........................

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Mains Questions:
Q.1)What is the importance of using vaccines? Describe role of ICMR to innovation and research to produce vaccines in India.