Month: August 2023

Science & Tech Uncategorized

Perucetus Colossus Whale: The World’s Heaviest Animal

Post author By balancedreport
Post date August 8, 2023

In Peru, scientists discovered fossils of Perucetus colossus, an extinct enormous whale species.
With each vertebra weighing over 100 kg and ribs extending about 5 feet long, this giant whale could be a contender for the title of biggest mammal ever to have lived.

About Perucetus Colossus Whale

The discovery of the Perucetus colossus whale (which lived roughly 39 million years ago) occurred more than a decade ago in Peru’s Ica desert, a location famed for its abundant marine fossils.
The whale’s estimated length was around 66 feet (20 metres), making it shorter than some blue whales that grow to be over 100 feet.
The ancient giant’s massive and hefty bones contributed to its astonishing estimated weight, making it a slow swimmer that most likely lived in shallow coastal waters.
Feeding Habits: Scientists are unsure about the whale’s diet in the absence of the head, believing that it may have scavenged on the seafloor or ingested massive amounts of krill and other marine animals.

Significance

If confirmed, Perucetus colossus could overtake the blue whale as the heaviest known animal, whether living or extinct.
Evolutionary Importance: The species exemplifies evolution’s ability to produce animals with features that defy human comprehension.
The absence of a head and teeth remains a paleontological mystery, leaving the feeding behaviour and ecological role of this ancient giant open to further inquiry.

Source: https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/what-is-a-colossal-whale-know-about-the-newly-discovered-whale-which-can-be-heaviest-animal-ever/articleshow/102402870.cms#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20study%20published,to%20187%2C393%20to%20749%2C572%20pounds).

Governance Polity

A Closer Look at Parliamentary Privilege and the Privileges Committee

Post author By balancedreport
Post date August 6, 2023

There were disagreements between the government and opposition parties during the present Monsoon Session of Parliament, which resulted in complaints against two MPs.
The Privileges Committee was notified of these allegations.

What is the definition of Parliamentary Privilege?

Parliamentary privilege refers to the rights and immunities enjoyed by parliamentarians when performing legislative duties.
MPs/MLAs are immune from civil or criminal liability for actions or words made while carrying out their legislative duties.
Article 105 enshrines the powers, privileges, and immunities of both Houses of the Indian Parliament and their members, whereas Article 194 deals with State Legislatures.

Recognising Privilege Motion

Breach of Privilege: Any violation of rights and immunities is considered a breach of privilege and is punishable under parliamentary law.
Any member of either House may move a motion in the form of a notice against those found guilty of a breach of privilege.
Contempt activities: The Houses also have the jurisdiction to punish activities that are not specifically violations of privilege but are violations of their authority and dignity.

Examples of Privilege Notices

Indira Gandhi was removed from the Lok Sabha in 1978 for delaying government personnel from gathering information for a question on Maruti.
Expulsion of Subramanian Swamy (1976): Subramanian Swamy faced expulsion from the Rajya Sabha for participating in interviews deemed to be “anti-India propaganda.”
Cash for Query controversy (2005): Eleven “tainted” MPs were expelled from the Lok Sabha as a result of the cash for query controversy.

Privilege Regulations

Privilege is governed by Rule No. 222 in Chapter 20 of the Lok Sabha Rule Book.
Rajya Sabha: Privilege is addressed under Rule 187 of Chapter 16 of the Rajya Sabha rules.
Notification Scope: The notification must pertain to a recent incident that necessitated the intervention of the House.
Notices must be delivered to the Speaker or Chairperson before 10 a.m.

Examination of the Speaker/Rajya Sabha Chairperson:

The first level of examination for a privilege motion is the Speaker/RS Chairperson.
Making a Decision: They have the option of deciding on the privilege motion themselves or referring it to the Privileges Committee.
If consent is granted under Rule 222, the member involved is given the chance to make a brief remark.

Concerning the Privileges Committee Composition:

In the Lok Sabha, the Speaker appoints a 15-member Privileges Committee based on relative party strengths.
Report Presentation: The Committee submits a report for consideration by the House. While the report is being considered, a half-hour debate may be allowed.
Final Orders: The Speaker has the authority to issue final orders or direct that the report be tabled in the House.
Resolution: A resolution concerning a breach of privilege must be passed unanimously.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha chairs the 10-member Committee of Privileges.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/committee-privileges-privilege-motion-explained-8876762/

Science & Tech

Fediverse: An Introduction to Decentralised Social Networking

Post author By balancedreport
Post date August 6, 2023

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has announced Threads, a Twitter competitor that will be integrated into the fediverse.
While Meta’s move has gotten a lot of attention, the business has yet to divulge its plans for using the fediverse to create a decentralised social network.

What exactly is the Fediverse?

The Fediverse is a collection of federated social networking services that operate on decentralised networks based on open-source standards.
Third-Party Servers: A network of servers run by third parties that are not controlled by a single entity. These servers can be used by social media sites to facilitate communication among its users.
Cross-Platform Communication: people on social media platforms within the fediverse can communicate with people on other platforms within the network without the need for separate accounts.
Meta’s Threads, as well as other platforms such as Pixelfed (photo-sharing), PeerTube (decentralised video-sharing), Lemmy, Diaspora, Movim, Prismo, WriteFreely, and others, are ready to join the fediverse.

Decentralised Nature:

Social media platforms use the Fediverse to harness its decentralised nature, providing users more control over the material they view and interact with.
Cross-Platform Communication: The fediverse facilitates communication among users of various social media platforms on the network.
Data Portability: Users can freely move their data to other platforms inside the fediverse, giving them more flexibility and control over their online data.

Scalability concerns:

Decentralised servers may encounter difficulties processing enormous quantities of traffic, thereby causing scalability concerns.
Content Moderation: Because the fediverse is decentralised, it is difficult to develop and enforce consistent content moderation policies across servers.
Data Privacy: Enforcing data privacy regulations becomes increasingly difficult since data put on one server may not be erased because data deletion policies on other servers differ.

The Evolution of the Fediverse

Long-standing Idea: The fediverse notion has been around for decades, with corporations like Google attempting to adopt decentralised networks.
Notable Platforms Emerge: Platforms such as Identi.ca (established in 2008), Mastodon, and Pleroma (formed in 2016) have contributed to the development of the fediverse.
Protocol for ActivityPub: The W3 (World Wide Web Consortium) introduced the ActivityPub protocol in 2018, which is widely utilised in fediverse apps.

Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/metas-threads-future-is-on-fediverse-but-what-exactly-is-it-deep-dive-into-decentralized-social-networking-388739-2023-07-07

Polity

The Supreme Court vacates a Defamation Case Conviction

Post author By balancedreport
Post date August 6, 2023

The Supreme Court’s recent judgement to postpone a criminal defamation conviction has important ramifications for a prominent political leader’s parliamentary representation.
The court emphasised the lack of valid reasons for imposing the maximum sentence and the importance of mutual respect and caution in public comments.

Disqualification of legislators

This is a key part in preserving the legislative bodies’ integrity.
Disqualification is possible in India under constitutional requirements and the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951.
The Tenth Schedule also addresses defection-related disqualifications.

Disqualification Reasons

Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies are disqualified under Articles 102(1) and 191(1) of the Constitution. Holding a profit-making office, being of unsound mind, insolvent, or lacking lawful citizenship are all grounds.
Defection: The Constitution’s Tenth Schedule provides for disqualification based on defection.
RPA, 1951: This Act requires disqualification for criminal convictions.

Disqualification under the 1951 RPA

Section 8 of the RPA addresses disqualification for conviction of offences.
The provision’s goal is to prevent the criminalization of politics and to prohibit ‘tainted’ MPs from running for office.
Section 8(3) states that a person guilty of an offence and sentenced to at least two years in prison is disqualified from the date of conviction and for an additional six years following release.

Disqualification Appeal and Stay of Disqualification

Disqualification can be reversed if a higher court provides a stay of execution or rules in favour of the convicted legislator’s appeal.
Lok Prahari v Union of India: The Supreme Court emphasised in a 2018 judgement that the disqualification will not take effect if the appellate court delays the conviction.
If a convicted politician files an appeal, it will first be heard by the Surat Sessions Court and then by the Gujarat High Court.

Legislative Changes

RPA Section 8(4): Section 8(4) previously stated that disqualification takes effect three months from the date of conviction.
Union of India v. Lily Thomas: In a historic 2013 decision, the Supreme Court declared Section 8(4) of the RPA invalid.
The ruling was intended to prohibit guilty politicians from continuing to occupy public office while their appeals were pending, so helping to the purification of Indian politics.

Recent observations by the Supreme Court

Reasoning Deficit: The court stated that the trial judge failed to show any justification for imposing the maximum penalty, despite the fact that the penal code allowed for a variety of sentencing choices.
The Supreme Court stated that the High Court neglected an important component of the lack of justification behind the punitive punishment in its judgement.
Impact on Representation: The court stated that exclusion from Parliament impacts not only the individual, but also the electorate represented by the individual in issue, raising worries about unrepresented areas.
Caution by Public Figures: While accepting his apologies for his previous “thief” remarks during the general election, the Court reminded him of the importance of exercising caution in public speeches due to his position in public life.

Source: https://www.livelaw.in/supreme-court/supreme-court-repeated-adjournment-vacates-stay-234488

Governance

In the news: Election Commissioner Appointment

Post author By balancedreport
Post date August 6, 2023

The Supreme Court denied the Association for Democratic Reforms’ (ADR) petition to challenge the appointment of an Election Commissioner.
The court noted an earlier Constitution Bench decision that addressed the matter and decided not to overturn the appointment.

About Election Commission of India (ECI)

The ECI is a constitutional organisation created by the Indian Constitution to conduct and regulate elections in the country.
The power of superintendence, direction, and supervision of elections is provided for in Article 324 of the Constitution.
The body is in charge of elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, State Legislative Councils, and the offices of the country’s President and Vice President.
As a result, the Election Commission is an all-India entity in the sense that it serves both the Central and state governments.
The Election Commission functions under the authority of Article 324 of the Constitution and the following Representation of the People Act 1951.

ECI Composition

The ECI was founded in 1950, with only one Chief Election Commissioner at the time.
During the 1989 General Election, two extra Commissioners were appointed to the commission for the first time, however their stay was brief, expiring on January 1, 1990.
Deputy Election Commissioners, who are usually IAS officers, assist the Election Commissioners.
Directors General, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries and Under Secretaries also support them.
The Chief Electoral Officer of the State, an IAS officer of Principal Secretary rank, assists the Election Commission at the state level.
District Magistrates (in their position as District Election Officers), Electoral Registration Officers, and Returning Officers do election work at the district and constituency levels.

Tenure

The Indian Constitution makes no provision for the tenure of election commissioners.
The Election Commission Conduct of Service Act of 1991, on the other hand, specifies the length of service.
The Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner shall serve for a term of six years, or until the age of 65, whichever comes first, from the date he/she takes office.

Expulsion from the office

The Chief Election Commissioner of India can be dismissed from office in the same way as a Supreme Court of India judge can be removed.
A resolution voted by the Indian Parliament with a two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on the basis of proven misbehaviour or incompetence is required.
The President of India has the authority to remove other Election Commissioners on the advice of the Chief Election Commissioner.
In India, no Chief Election Commissioner has ever been impeached.

Recent instances of ECI

Several of the commission’s acts and omissions have been criticised in recent years.
In a letter to the President, nearly 66 former bureaucrats expressed their dissatisfaction with the Election Commission’s operations.
They perceived a credibility issue, claiming multiple infractions of the model code of conduct during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Importance of ECI for India

Elections: Since 1952, the ECI has successfully conducted both national and state elections.
Electoral engagement: In recent years, however, the Commission has begun to take a more active role in ensuring increased public participation.
Political party discipline: It had gone so far as to threaten political parties with de-recognition if they did not maintain internal party democracy.
Maintains federalism: It protects the constitutional norms of equality, equity, impartiality, independence, and the rule of law in superintendence, direction, and control over electoral governance.
Elections that are free and fair: It holds elections that meet the highest standards of credibility, freedom, fairness, transparency, honesty, accountability, autonomy, and professionalism.

Problems with ECI

Composition flaws: The Constitution does not specify qualifications for EC members. After retiring or quitting, they are not prohibited from future assignments.
Security of tenure is not guaranteed for election commissioners under the Constitution.
Partisan role: The EC has been under fire like never before, with increasing instances of Model Code of Conduct violations in the 2019 general elections.
Political favour: The opposition claimed that the ECI favoured the ruling party by granting the PM a pass on the model code of conduct violations.
Incompetence: Increased violence and election malpractices under the influence of money have resulted in political criminalization, which ECI is powerless to stop.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-dismisses-plea-challenging-appointment-of-arun-goel-as-election-commissioner/article67157276.ece

Science & Tech

Experts applaud the Centre’s decision to prohibit the use of aceclofenac and ketoprofen

Post author By balancedreport
Post date August 6, 2023

In a notification dated July 31, 2023, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare prohibited the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of ketoprofen and aceclofenac and their formulations for animal use under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 40).

Central idea

Experts in vulture conservation have praised the idea, calling it a game changer for India’s fragile vulture population. The actual test, however, will be the effective implementation of the prohibition, while experts also argue for similar protection measures to be extended to other raptors (birds of prey).

What is the difference between Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac?

Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) that are often used to treat pain, inflammation, and fever. They belong to the same class of drugs, although their chemical structures and properties differ slightly.

Background

The usage of diclofenac, a pain medication given to cattle, caused a significant drop in vulture populations in India in the 1990s.
Vultures eating on cattle corpses swallowed the poison, causing them to die in agony.
In 2004, it was revealed that 97% of the vulture population had been lost, especially affecting species such as oriental white-backed vultures, long-billed vultures, and slender-billed vultures.

The Vulture Recovery Strategy

In 2004, the Indian government and different entities developed a Vulture Recovery Plan in response to the situation.
The strategy called for a restriction on the use of diclofenac in veterinary medicine, the development of safer replacements, and the establishment of vulture conservation breeding centres.
Because vultures are sluggish breeders with lengthy lifespans, any increase in annual mortality rate exceeding 5% may endanger their survival.
Diclofenac was banned as a veterinary medicine in 2006, and it was later gazetted in 2008.
As a result of the restriction, the safer medicine meloxicam was recommended as a substitute.
Despite this advancement, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ketoprofen and aceclofenac continue to endanger vultures.

Threats posed by Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac to vultures

Harmful Metabolites: When cattle or other livestock are given ketoprofen or aceclofenac, these medications can be metabolised and transformed into harmful chemicals like diclofenac. When vultures ingest the carcasses of treated animals, diclofenac is particularly toxic to them and can cause kidney failure and death.
Slow Metabolism in Vultures: Vultures have a slower metabolism than other birds, making them more vulnerable to the negative effects of these medications. Toxic metabolites build up in their systems over time, causing serious health problems and even death.
Vultures are obligate scavengers, which means they primarily eat on carrion (dead animals). However, their scavenging behaviour exposes them to the risk of consuming polluted animal remains.

Contradictory scenarios on the Ground:

One of the major obstacles in executing the prohibition is the presence of contradictory scenarios on the ground. While many experts and organisations support the prohibition to conserve vultures, parties with vested interests in the usage of these medications may have conflicting opinions.
State and federal governments’ roles: While the national government makes the ban decision, it is critical to monitor how the state and central governments interact to properly implement the prohibition.
Immediate Implementation and Awareness: Because there is no set date for implementation, the prohibition is effective immediately. This necessitates immediate action by state authorities and appropriate agencies to guarantee that the ban is strictly enforced.
Potential Opposition to the Ban: Given the importance of livestock and agriculture in India, some may object to the ban if they rely on the use of Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac for animal care.
Extending Safety Measures to Other Raptors: To ensure the safety of medications for other raptors, extra study and testing may be required to determine potential dangers and harmful effects on these birds.

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/gamechanger-for-india-s-vultures-experts-laud-centre-s-move-to-ban-aceclofenac-ketoprofen-90990

Economics

Estimates for Tree Removal for the GNI Project

Post author By balancedreport
Post date August 5, 2023

The Union government’s ambitious 72,000-crore Great Nicobar Project is facing environmental scrutiny, as the number of trees slated to be cut has been raised to 9.64 lakh, up from the earlier predicted 8.5 lakh.

What is GNI Project?

The GNI Project is an abbreviation for the “Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island,” which is a proposed megaproject being piloted by NITI Aayog.
The project aims to develop the southern end of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal by building a transhipment port, a dual-use military-civil international airport, a power plant, and a township over a 30-year period on more than 160 square kilometres of land, 130 square kilometres of which is primary forest.

Features of the East Project Transshipment Hub:

By becoming a key player in cargo transhipment, the projected port will enable Great Nicobar to participate in the regional and global maritime economies.
The port would be administered by the Indian Navy, while the airport will provide dual military-civilian functions as well as tourism.
Roads, public transit, water supply, and waste management facilities, as well as multiple hotels, have been planned to cater to tourists.

The Importance of the Project

The GNP Project is economically and strategically significant:
Economic Importance: It establishes Great Nicobar as an East transhipment hub, strategically placed along the East-West international maritime corridor. This has the potential to increase income and position India as a major player in cargo transportation.
Strategic Importance: The development of Great Nicobar has been deemed critical for national security and strengthening India’s position in the Indian Ocean region. The project functions as an oceanic outpost, addressing worries about China’s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean.

Problems and Concerns

Harm to Biodiversity: The project’s development, township construction, and influx of people may result in habitat damage and degradation, posing a harm to various island species.
Displacement of Indigenous Tribes: The project has the potential to relocate two isolated and indigenous tribes, the Shompen and the Nicobaris, endangering their way of life and cultural legacy.
The impact of deforestation on the island’s ecology and biodiversity is estimated to be 9.64 lakh trees cut down in prehistoric rainforests.
Concerns have been made concerning the rapidity with which approvals were obtained, as well as the adequacy of environmental and social impact evaluations.
Fragile Topography: The region’s geological volatility and disaster vulnerability add to the difficulties, especially given the impact of the 2004 Tsunami on indigenous populations.

Significant Concerns

Estimated Tree Felling: Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Environment, revealed that around 9.64 lakh trees may need to be taken down for the development of the Great Nicobar Project. However, there is a chance that the real number of trees fallen will be less.
Consequences for the Environment: The Great Nicobar Island forest designated for development is an evergreen tropical forest with remarkable ecological variety, home to about 650 species of flora and 330 species of fauna.
Compensatory Afforestation: To compensate for the tree felling, the government aims to plant trees in Haryana. The state has agreed to offer 261.5 square kilometres for this purpose.
Tribal issues: The island administration failed to provide local tribespeople forest land ownership as required by the Forest Conservation Rules, 2017, generating questions regarding consent and rights recognition.
Inconsistencies with Stage-I Clearance: The project’s approval process was delayed, and claims over forest land under the FRA were not appropriately processed.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/great-nicobar-project-may-see-964-lakh-trees-axed-says-minister/article67154281.ece#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20estimated%20number%20of%20trees,be%20less%20than%209.64%20lakh.

History

The History of the Indian Pepper Trade

Post author By balancedreport
Post date August 5, 2023

Pepper, known as the “King of Spices,” was instrumental in pushing exploration, colonisation, and cultural interactions between the East and West.
The Mystique and Early Origins of the Pepper Luxury Commodity: Pepper, once regarded as a luxury item, was mostly grown in India’s Malabar Coast and was cloaked in mystery and folklore. European Christians thought it came from the mythical kingdom of “Prester John,” while Arab traders thought it grew behind waterfalls guarded by fire-breathing dragons.
Pepper was consumed in ancient India as early as 2000 BCE, according to archaeological evidence. It was exported to various regions of Asia and North Africa, and the mummified remains of Ramesses the Great from 1213 BCE were discovered in Egypt with peppercorns.
Arab Dominance: By the 10th century, Arab traders controlled the spice trade, connecting India with the Middle East, Africa, and Europe while controlling supply and prices.

The Importance of Pepper in Global Commerce

Pepper became so valuable that it was used as currency and rent in several regions of the world. For example, as part of the siege of Rome in 408 BCE, the King of Visigoths wanted 3,000 kilogrammes of pepper.
Spices and the Age of Discovery: The European need for spices, particularly pepper, drove the Age of Discovery. Vasco da Gama discovered the passage to India around the Cape of Good Hope, whereas Christopher Columbus explored the Americas in pursuit of India.
Dominance of the Portuguese and Dutch: The Portuguese first controlled the spice trade from the Malabar region but were unable to control the pepper-producing areas. The Dutch East India Company monopolised pepper sales and threatened Portuguese dominance.
The English East India Company was granted the right to trade in the East Indies by Queen Elizabeth I in 1600. The voyages of the Company established the English colonial foothold in India.

Cultural Exchanges and the Spread of Islam:

Malabar’s Trading Legacy: The Malabar Coast, sometimes known as “the city of spices,” operated as an international commerce centre. Traders from diverse cultures, including Jewish, Christian, and Muslim populations, were welcomed on the Zamorin.
Islamic Influence: The pepper trade aided in the spread of Islam from East Africa to southern China. Malabar has had a substantial Islamic presence for about a thousand years.

The Evolution and Legacy of Pepper

From Luxury to Standard: Pepper became a household staple due to improved production techniques and cultivation in tropical locations. Its role in propelling exploration and colonial empires is an important component of world history.

Conclusion

Pepper’s trip through history exemplifies the transformational power of trade and the impact of commodities on the planet.
Pepper, formerly a coveted luxury, became a driving force behind East-West exploration, colonisation, and cultural exchanges.
Its importance as a worldwide commodity and desire to control its trade impacted history, and its legacy as a crucial spice goes on in our daily lives.

Source:https://indianexpress.com/article/research/pepper-the-spice-that-brought-the-world-to-india-8875758/#:~:text=Early%20trade%20of%20pepper,of%20Asia%20and%20North%20Africa.

Environment & Biodiversity

Captive breeding of Himalayan Vultures has been accomplished

Post author By balancedreport
Post date August 5, 2023

Researchers have successfully recorded the first occurrence of captive breeding of the Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) in India, which is a noteworthy victory for conservation efforts.

About Himalayan Vultures
Scientific Name	Gyps himalayensis
Range and Habitat	The Himalayan region and adjacent areas of India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan are home to this species. Live in high-altitude mountainous areas.
Feeding Habits	Scavengers that feed on carrion perform an important function in the environment by cleaning up carcasses and reducing disease spread.
Conservation Status	Near Threatened (IUCN) Schedule-IV (WPA)
Breeding Behavior	Construct nests on cliffs and rough ledges. They are monogamous and have long-term pair relationships.
Cultural Significance	Some Himalayan communities regard them as symbols of purification and spiritual value, and they have cultural and religious significance.

Breeding Process Specifics Date and Nestling:

On March 14, 2022, a Himalayan vulture nestling was successfully hatched in the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati. On March 15, the nestling was transferred to an artificial brooding facility.
Observations: Researchers closely examined the nestling’s housing, feeding, frequency of eating, and growth and colour.
Conservation Breeding Centres for Vultures: In India, four Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres (VCBC) have been created in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal. These facilities are dedicated to the conservation of White-rumped vultures, Slender-billed vultures, and Indian vultures, all of which are listed as ‘Critically Endangered.’

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/himalayan-vulture-bred-captively-for-the-first-time-in-india/article67154907.ece#:~:text=Researchers%20have%20recorded%20the%20first,the%20Assam%20State%20Zoo%2C%20Guwahati.

Science & Tech

India requires evidence-based, ethical medicine

Post author By balancedreport
Post date August 5, 2023

Recently, the ICMR and the Ministry of Ayush agreed to expand their collaboration in health research related to integrated medicine.

Central idea

A noteworthy pluralistic approach is the recent drive to integrate AYUSH medical systems into mainstream health care in order to attain universal health coverage and decolonize medicine. This endeavour, however, must prioritise safety and efficacy norms for each participating system. Unfortunately, Homoeopathy falls short of these fundamental requirements.

What exactly is an integrated medical system?

An integrated system of medicine is a method of providing complete and patient-centered treatment that includes aspects from many healthcare systems or modalities, such as conventional medicine and traditional, complementary, or alternative medicine.

What Is Homeopathy?

Homoeopathy is an alternative medical system created in the late 18th century by German physician Samuel Heinemann.
Homoeopathy is a medical system that believes the body can heal itself. It is practised by using trace amounts of natural ingredients such as plants and minerals. They feel that these aid in the healing process.
This is predicated on the premise that a chemical that creates symptoms in a healthy person might trigger the body’s natural healing reaction to help an ill person overcome similar symptoms.

Homoeopathic fundamentals

The Law of Similarities: Homoeopathy is based on the idea that a chemical that causes symptoms in a healthy person may be used to treat comparable symptoms in a sick person.
Minimum Dose: Homoeopathic remedies are created through a process of dilution and potentization, which entails diluting the original material repeatedly and vigorously shaking it. This technique, it is believed, increases the remedy’s healing powers while minimising any potential toxicity.
Individualization: Homoeopathy considers each person as a distinct individual, tailoring treatment to their specific symptoms and overall constitution.
To discover a suitable solution, homoeopathy considers the entirety of a person’s physical, mental, and emotional symptoms rather than focusing exclusively on a specific disease or isolated symptoms.

Concerns over the efficacy and safety of Homeopathy

Weak Evidence: The evidence supporting homeopathy’s efficacy is deemed weak. The Nuremberg Salt Test (1835), a well-conducted double-blind randomised controlled study, debunked homoeopathy by attributing its claimed results to imagination, self-deception, or even fraud.
Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses have consistently revealed that homoeopathic treatments have no clinically significant impact across a wide range of diseases, population groupings, research types, and treatment regimens.
Unregistered experiments: According to the researchers, more than half of the 193 homoeopathic experiments undertaken in the last two decades were not registered. Surprisingly, unregistered trials demonstrated efficacy but registered trials did not, raising question on the evidence’s validity and dependability.
Lack of trust: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued warnings against the use of homoeopathy for serious illnesses such as HIV, TB, malaria, baby flu and diarrhoea. This demonstrates scepticism about its efficacy in treating such disorders.
Ineffectiveness for Serious Conditions: Evidence suggests that homoeopathy may not be beneficial in treating cancers or reducing the bad effects of cancer treatments.
One of the safety issues of homoeopathy is that it has the potential to delay the use of evidence-based clinical care for serious or life-threatening illnesses. This delay can have a negative impact on patients’ health results.

Arguments in Favour of Homoeopathy Historical Usage:

Proponents of homoeopathy frequently emphasise its lengthy history and vast popularity, stating that its efficiency is proved by its ongoing use throughout the ages.
Individualization of Treatment: Individualised treatment is emphasised in homoeopathy, with treatments tailored to a person’s specific symptoms and overall constitution. This personalised strategy is thought to benefit patients who do not respond well to traditional treatments.
Homoeopathic therapies are greatly diluted, which proponents argue reduces adverse effects and makes them safe to use even in sensitive patient populations.
Advocates claim that homoeopathy provides a holistic approach to health, taking into account not only physical symptoms but also mental and emotional components of a person’s well-being.
Anecdotal testimonies: Homoeopathy supporters frequently present anecdotal testimonies from patients who claim to have had excellent outcomes after utilising homoeopathic treatments. To reinforce the credibility of homoeopathy, supporters frequently quote testimonials from notable personalities such as Gandhi and Tagore.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/india-needs-evidence-based-ethics-driven-medicine/article67155174.ece