To reach the poor: results from the ISNAR-IFPRI Next Harvest study on genetically modified crops, public research, and policy implications

"Local farming communities throughout the world face productivity constraints, environmental concerns, and diverse nutritional needs. Developing countries address these challenges in a number of ways. One way is public research that produces genetically modified (GM) crops and recognize biotechnology as a part of the solution. To reach these communities, GM crops, after receiving biosafety agreement, must be approved for evaluation under local conditions. However, gaps between approvals in the developed and developing world grow larger, as the process of advancing GM crops in developing countries becomes increasingly difficult. In several countries, only insect resistant cotton has successfully moved from small, confined experimental trials to larger, open trials and to farms. By far, most GM crop approvals have been for commercial products that perform well under tropical conditions. However, complete information on public GM crop research in developing countries has not been assessed. “Will policies and research institutions in the developing world stimulate the safe use of publicly funded GM food crops?” The relatively few GM crops approved from public research, coupled with growing regulatory, biosafety capacity, trade, and political concerns, argue to the contrary. To tackle this issue, we identified and analyzed public research pipelines for GM crops among 16 developing countries and transition economies. Respondents reported 209 genetic transformation events for 46 different crops at the time when the survey was conducted. The pipelines demonstrate scientific progress among publicly funded crop research institutes in participating countries. Information and findings are presented for GM crops nearing final stages of selection. Additional details are provided for the types of genes and traits used, the breadth of genetic resources documented, implications for regulation, and the type of research partnerships employed. Regulations, GM crop approvals, choice of transgene, and policy implications are discussed as they affect this research. Based on these findings, recommendations are presented that would help sustain and increase efficiency of publicly supported research while meeting biosafety requirements. To do so, the study examines results concerning investments and choices made in research, capacity, and policy development for biotechnology. These indicate the risk and potential for GM technologies in developing countries. Policy makers, those funding biotechnology, and other stakeholders can use this information to prioritize investments, consider product advancement, and assess relative magnitude of potential risks, and benefits." Authors' Abstract

TERI advanced oxidation technology (TADOX®) for treatment and rejuvenation of open drains and surface water bodies: making habitats sustainable

Open drains contain sewage waste and find route to surface water bodies mainly due to the absence of dedicated conveyance of wastewater to centralized wastewater treatment facilities. This poses severe environmental, public health and occupational health hazard and there is an urgent need for onsite treatment of open drains. TADOX® (TERI Advanced Oxidation Technology) from TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi) is an advanced approach treat drains using photocatalysis as an advanced oxidation process. This paper presents a case study of an open drain, which when treated with TADOX® Technology, improved water quality parameters meeting the regulatory norms. The untreated open drain did not meet Class E of the Water Quality Criteria laid down by the regulatory body, and attained Class A Water Quality Criteria after end-to-end treatment within 5 h. TADOX® treatment resulted in the removal of 63.5% chemical oxygen demand, 99% biochemical oxygen demand, 96% phosphate, 61% nitrogen, 3 log reduction in E. coli and 4 log reduction in total coliform values with a doubling in dissolved oxygen levels. Micropollutant load reduction of 93.5% in acetaminophen, 96% in sulfamethoxazole, 96% in ibuprofen and 89% in caffeine was also recorded in the study. HIGHLIGHTS TADOX treatment of open drain bypassed biological treatment and resultant treated water complied with Class A of Designated water reuse criteria defined by CPCB, India.; The overall 5-hour end-to-end treatment resulted in significant removal of primary pollutants like 63.5% COD, 99% BOD, 96% phosphate and 61% TKN.; 3 log reduction in E. coli and 4 log reduction in total coliform values.

Integration of TADOX® technology to improve water reuse efficiency of constructed wetland-treated water

Constructed wetland (CW) is an effective and economical decentralized wastewater treatment (DWWT) method implemented in various developing nations. Such CW-treated water may be good for meeting discharge norms but when it comes to high-end reuse, it requires polishing and integration with advanced oxidation process (AOP)-based treatment. In this pursuit, TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) Advanced Oxidation Technology (TADOX®) may be able to polish such streams and make the CW-treated water reusable. TADOX utilizes UV-TiO2 Photocatalysis (PC) as a secondary treatment followed by nanomaterial recovery. This study aims at evaluating TADOX treatment to polish treated water from a root zone treatment (RZT) plant. Performance evaluation of the treatments is evaluated based on key parameters for treated sewage water such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids, color, pathogens (total and thermotolerant coliforms), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as caffeine, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and diclofenac. HIGHLIGHTS Root zone treatment (RZT) technology removed 75% COD, 13% BOD, and 67% phosphates.; TADOX® treatment of RZT-treated water led to BOD, COD, NO3-N, and PO4-P % removal as 94, 50, 66, and 100.; TADOX® was effective to remove micropollutants in the range of 79–88%.

Low Carbon Development Pathways for Cooling: Leveraging Kigali Amendment Across Residential Applications

Heating and cooling demand for space conditioning and refrigeration accounts for around a fifth of global final energy consumption. Climate change, urbanisation, and economic development have tripled electricity demand for cooling alone since the 1990s, with the majority coming from the use of inefficient cooling equipment, which burdens electricity grids, especially during the peak hours. It is imperative to address the energy required to provide cooling. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol addresses these needs by setting ambitious global targets to phase down refrigerants with high global warming potential, while improving energy efficiency. Integrating energy efficiency and the refrigerant transition will contribute to economic security, well-being, energy access and security, and sustainability among the G20 countries

Clinical and genetic analysis of A father-son duo with monomelic amyotrophy: Case report

Monomelic Amyotrophy (MMA) is a rare neurological disorder restricted to one upper limb, predominantly affecting young males with an unknown aetiopathogenesis. We report a familial case of father-son duo affected by MMA. Whole exome sequencing identified genetic variations in SLIT1, RYR3 and ARPP21 involved in axon guidance, calcium homeostasis and regulation of calmodulin signaling respectively. This is the first attempt to define genetic modifiers associated with MMA from India and advocates to extend genetic screening to a larger cohort. Deciphering the functional consequences of variations in these genes will be crucial for unravelling the pathogenesis of MMA