diseases

Scientists identify 33 genes linked to autism, related disorders
Current Affairs Published on www.gktoday.in from January 1, 2012 to
September 10, 2012
Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital Centre for Human Genetic Research claim to have identified 33 genes
linked to autism and related disorders. The discovery may pave the way for better treatments for the medical
condition. They have distinguished the precise points where the DNA strands are disrupted and segments exchanged
within or b/w chromosomes in such cases. Children with neuro developmental abnormalities, including autism are
known to have abnormal chromosomes.












aids


PM stresses for establishing linkages b/w various Policies of Govt and HIV/AIDS Programme
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stressed on the points that
1. Different ministries should make HIV sensitive policies and programmes to provide employment and
assistance to HIV-AIDS infected persons
2. Linkages be built between MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee)
programme and HIV/AIDS programmes to facilitate employment of HIV positive persons
The nutritional needs of HIV positive people, especially Women and Children should be undertaken
by linking them with ICDS and other developmental schemes
3. Need to ensure that there is no stigma and discrimination towards HIV infected and affected
persons
4. No child be denied entrance in schools and colleges because he or she is infected with HIV or
because his or her parents are infected with the disease
Thus, PM stressed that different Policies of the Government should be linked with the
HIV/AIDS Programme:-
Employment of HIV/AIDS infected people --- (Link To) --- MNREGA Programme
Nutritional Needs of HIV/AIDS infected Women and Children --- (Link To) --- ICDS
Programme
Education Rights of HIV/AIDS infected Children --- (Link To) --- Right To Education
Programme









Polio campaign: International experts exalts India
International experts have praised India for having just one case of polio in the first 6 months of 2011
As per them, India has run very high quality vaccination campaigns
They, however, added that a plan to rid the world of polio by the end of next year is off track
The report by independent monitors, warned that Pakistan risks becoming the last global outpost of
this brutal disease
Polio also resurfaced in four other countries
There were around 1,000 cases of polio worldwide last year
The virus remains present in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan
In the countries where it has resurfaced there, have been twice as many cases - 162 - as there
were in the endemic countries. The experts are also particularly concerned about new cases in the
Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad