चार्ल्स डार्विन के जन्म की द्विशताब्दी पर

 

This article was written in February 2009, to understand Darwin's contribution in common language. On completion of 200 years of his birth. Today, while the ruling dispensation is making this principle redundant, it is presented for reading once again. It was featured in the February 2009 issue of "Pratirodh Ka Swar" magazine.

यह लेख फरवरी 2009 में लिखा गया था, आम भाषा में डार्विन के योगदान को समझने के लिये। उनकी जन्म के 200 वर्ष पूरे होने पर। आज जबकि इस सिद्धांत को शासक लोग बेमानी बना रहे रहे हैं, इसे एक बार पढ़ने के लिए प्रस्तुत है। इसे “प्रतिरोध का स्वर” पत्रिका के फरवरी 2009 के  अंक में छापा गया था।

चार्ल्स डार्विन के जन्म की द्विशताब्दी पर

 

मृगांक

फ्रांसीसी क्रांति के बाद, वैचारिक रूप से पूंजीवादी विचारधारा की मान्यता के बाद, जब यांत्रिक भौतिकवाद एक मान्य विचारधारा बन गई थी, 19वीं सदी का उत्तरार्द्ध बौद्धिक स्तर पर एक वैचारिक उथल-पुथल का समय था। जहां यांत्रिक भौतिकवाद बहुत-सी चीजों को समझा रहा था, वहीं जैविक पदार्थ या जीव-जंतुओं के स्तर पर अभी भी अनेक अंधविश्वास छाये हुए थे। वहीं दूसरी ओर पूंजीवादी शोषण से त्रस्त मुक्ति की विचारधारायें भी छा रही थीं। यह वह समय था जब नवीन विचारधारायें स्थापित हो रही थीं, आ रही थीं और बहस मुबाहसों में बहुत से स्थापित मान्यतायें धाराशायी हो रही थीं। एक टीकाकार पेरी ने लिखा है "यथार्थवाद, प्रत्ययवाद, डार्विनवाद, मार्क्सवाद व उदारवाद प्रकृति व समाज के सभी रुमानी, धार्मिक व अधिभूतवादी समझदारी को चुनौती दे रहे थे और एक वस्तुगत विश्व समझदारी पर केन्द्रित हो रहे थे।" उस समय दो प्रमुख विचारक थे, डार्विन और मार्क्स। 12 फरवरी, 2009 को डार्विन के जन्म की द्विशताब्दी है। इस मौके पर आईए देखें कि आखिर डार्विन के विचारों ने क्यों हलचल मचाई तथा वे कैसे विकसित हुए।

डार्विन द्वारा यघपि यह चुनौती जैविक विकास के क्षेत्र में दी गई जहां डार्विन ने जीवों के प्रजातियों की उत्पत्ति व विकास को समझने हेतु सिद्धान्त प्रस्तुत किया, पर यह चुनौती इतनी गंभीर थी कि दुनिया को देखने-समझने की कुल समझदारी पर भी इसका आमूल प्रभाव पड़ा और इसने कई जड़ मान्यताओं को हिला कर रख दिया; या कहा जाये कि उन्हें उखाड़ कर फेंक दिया। यही वजह थी कि डार्विनवाद को इतनी बहसों व विरोधों का सामना करना पड़ा। पर, यह आज भी जिंदा है।

जीवन परिचय

चार्ल्स राबर्ट डार्विन का जन्म 12 फरवरी, 1809 को माउंट हाउस, श्रेव्सबरी, श्रोपशायर, इंग्लैण्ड में हुआ था। डार्विन के पिता एक धनी पारिवारिक चिकित्सक थे। उन्हें बचपन से स्कूल में प्राकतिक इतिहास पढ़ने का मौका मिला। आठ वर्ष की आयु में, मां के निधन के बाद, वे बोर्डिंग स्कूल में पढ़े। 1825 में पिता के साथ प्रशिक्षु चिकित्सक के रूप में कार्यरत हुए। बाद में वे रेडिनबर्ग विश्वविद्यालय गये जहां सर्जरी उन्हें नीरस लगी। वहां वे प्राक तिक इतिहास के क्लब पिलिनियन सोसाइटी से जुड़े। यहीं उग्र भौतिकवाद से उनका परिचय हुआ। शुद्ध प्राक तिक इतिहास से उब कर वे विश्वविख्यात संग्रहालय के लिए पौधे इकट्ठे करने व उन्हें वर्गीक त करने के काम में जुट गये। मेडिकल की पढ़ाई की उपेक्षा की वजह से उनके पिता ने उन्हें क्राइस्ट कालेज में भेज दिया ताकि वे धीरे-धीरे एंग्लिकन चर्च में शामिल हो सकें। पर वे पढ़ाई की जगह घुड़सवारी व निशानेबाजी में लगे रहे। वहां वे झींगुर इकट्ठा करने वाले ग्रुप में शौकिया रूप से गये और अपने अध्ययन को 'इलस्ट्रेशन ऑफ ब्रिटिश एंटोमोलोजी' में छापा। यहीं प्राक तिक विज्ञान से उनका परिचय हुआ। परीक्षा के डर से पढ़ाई शुरू की और अच्छे अंक पाये। वहां वे प्राक तिक धर्मविज्ञान पढ़े जिसमें तर्क के साथ धर्म की व्याख्या थी । वहीं, विज्ञान व विज्ञान के दर्शन के अनेक विषय पढ़ते हुए उन्हें प्राकतिक इतिहास में गहन रुचि हुई। इसी समय उन्हें एच. एम. एस. बीगल पर राबर्ट फिट्ज़रॉय के साथ प्रकृतिशास्त्र के अध्ययन हेतु यात्रा का मौका मिला। यही वह यात्रा थी जिसने डार्विन को विलक्षण सिद्धांत रचने का कारण व अवसर दिया।

बीगल यात्रा

बीगल जगह-जगह घूमता रहा और डार्विन भूवैज्ञानिक के तौर पर पर्यवेक्षण करते रहे तथा विस्त त नोट्स बनाते रहे। उन नोट्स पर सोच कर सैद्धांतिक निचोड़ भी निकालते रहे। क्योंकि बीगल पर संरक्षण की व्यवस्था नहीं थी, डार्विन लगातार अपने अध्ययन, नमूने आदि कैम्ब्रिज में अपने परिवार को भेजते रहे। हालांकि भूविज्ञान, झींगूर संग्रह के अलावा वे जीव विज्ञान में नौसिखुए थे, फिर भी जलीय प्राणियों को एकत्र कर तथा उनका डाईसेक्शन कर उन्होंने अध्ययन किया व उसके विस्त त नोट्स लिए। उन्होंने फिट्ज़रॉय से लेकर चार्ल्स लियेल की 'प्रिंसीपल्स ऑफ जियोलॉजी' (भूविज्ञान के सिद्धांत) पढ़ी जिससे उनकी सैद्धांतिक समझ भी विकसित हुई।

रास्ते में कबीले, गुलामी आदि भी देखी। पन्टा अल्टा में विलुप्त स्तनपायी के जीवाश्म देखे तथा ऐसे और भी जीव देखे। जगह-जगह घूमकर वे न केवल भूवैज्ञानिक के तौर पर ज्ञानार्जन कर रहे थे बल्कि सामाजिक, राजनैतिक व मानव विज्ञान को भी देख रहे थे। प्रजातियों के आने व विलुप्त होने के लियेल के सिद्धांत उन्हें अपने पर्यवेक्षण के आधार पर गलत लग रहे थे।

डार्विन ने रास्ते में गुलामों को भी देखा और उसकी प्रचलित नस्लीय कमजोरी की धारणा को न मानकर सांस्कृतिक विकास व भिन्नता को प्रतिपादित किया डार्विन व्यापक जैव विविधता को देख कर आश्चर्य में पड़ गये। फिट्जरॉय ने बीगल यात्रा का औपचारिक व तांत लिखा तो डार्विन के नोट्स भी इस्तेमाल किये गये। डार्विन के नोट्स अंततः प्राकृतिक इतिहास पर एक नये पृप्राक तिक प्राकृतिक थक ग्रंथ के रूप में छापे गये। और, भूविज्ञान व इतिहास में डार्विन इस यात्रा के दौरान ही प्रसिद्ध हो गये। इसी बीच लेयल की प्रस्थापना "रहस्यों का रहस्य, विलुप्त प्रजातियों का नवीन प्रजातियों द्वारा बदला जाना केवल एक चमत्कार है" उनके गले नहीं उतर रही थी। उन्होंने लिखा कि मौकिंग बर्ड, कछुये, फॉकलैंड लोमड़ी आदि प्रजातियों का स्थायित्व (समय में) बहुत से शक पैदा करता है। शायद यही प्रजातियों की उत्पत्ति पर प्रकाश डालेगा।

उत्पत्ति के सिद्धांत की उत्पत्ति

2 अक्तूबर, 1836 को वापस लौटने पर डार्विन एक प्रसिद्ध व्यक्ति बन चुके थे। 1835 में ही वैज्ञानिक हेंसला ने डार्विन के पर्चे चुनिंदा प्राकतिक वैज्ञानिकों को दिये थे। डार्विन श्रेव्सबरी में रिश्तेदारों से मिल कर जल्द ही कैम्ब्रिज में हेंसलों से मिलने चले गये। अब डार्विन को अनेक वैज्ञानिक साधन व सामग्री उपलब्ध हो गई थी। उनके पिता ने भी आर्थिक योगदान दिया। रिचर्ड ओवन, जो एनॉटमिस्ट थे, ने डार्विन द्वारा एकत्र जीवाश्म का अध्ययन किया ये विलुप्त प्रजातियां दक्षिण अमेरिका की जीवित प्रजातियों से नजदीकी संबंध रखती प्रतीत हुईं। इन्हीं बातों से प्रेरित होकर डार्विन ने अवधारणा बनाई कि एक प्रजाति से दूसरी प्रजाति में विकास संभव है। जुलाई 1837 में उन्होंने अवधारणा बनाई की "संतति में बदलाव बदलती दुनिया में समायोजन के कारण होता है"। उन्होंने इवोल्यूशनरी ट्री को भी बनाया। वे मेहनत से अपने अध्ययन में जुट गये जहां वे गंभीर रूप से बीमार भी पड़े।

कुछ समय के लिए अपने ननिहाल गये और वहीं विवाह किया। वहीं से वे विभिन्न वैज्ञानिक ओहदों जैसे जियोलॉजिकल सोसाइटी के सचिव आदि पर रहे, पर बीमारी ने साथ नहीं छोड़ा।

डार्विन अपने सिद्धांत को विकसित करने लगे थे। 1842 में उन्होंने इसकी रूपरेखा तैयार की। लेयल ने इसे ठीक नहीं समझा क्योंकि उनके अनुसार नई प्रजाति एकदम नई स जना थी । वनस्पति वैज्ञानिक हूकर भी अचंभित हो कहने लगे कि "मेरी राय में अलग-अलग स्थान पर अलग-अलग उत्पत्ति रही और धीरे-धीरे बदलाव भी ।... पर अभी तक कोई भी सिद्धांत मुझे संतुष्ट नहीं कर सका। अतः मैं तुम्हारे सिद्धांत पढ़ कर खुश होऊंगा।"

डार्विन ने रूपरेखा से व हद निबंध बना लिया था। उन्होंने अनाम रूप से इसे "वेस्टीज ऑफ द नेशनल हिस्ट्री ऑफ क्रिएशन" के नाम से छाप दिया। इससे जबरदस्त विवाद आरंभ हो गया। हूकर ने भी कुछ आलोचनात्मक सुझाव दिये पर वे डार्विन द्वारा स ष्टि के सिद्धांत के विरोध को पचा नहीं पाये। बहरहाल, 1859 में डार्विन ने अपनी पुस्तक “ओरिजिन ऑफ स्पीसीज बाइ नैचुरल सेलेक्शन" छापी। हूकर जहां डार्विन के पक्ष में रहे, लेयल व ओवेन प्रखर विरोधी बन गये। अपने सिद्धांत के प्रस्तावना में उन्होंने लिखा "क्योंकि किसी प्रजाति में जीवित बच सकने से अधिक बच्चे पैदा होते हैं, क्सर अस्तित्व का सतत संघर्ष बना रहता है। इसका अर्थ है कि कोई भी, अगर कितने भी छोटे अर्थ में अपने को जीवन के इस जटिल व बदलती परिस्थितियों में ढ़ाल सकता है, तो उसके जिंदा रहने की अधिक संभावना रहती है। अतः प्राक तिक रूप से वही चुना जाता है। आनुवंशिक रूप से कोई भी चुनी प्रजाति इस नये, परिवर्तित रूप को ही वंशानुगत करेगी।" डार्विन ने विवादित शब्द 'विकास' का इस्तेमाल करने से बचते हुए वंशानुगमन का इस्तेमाल किया। उन्होंने लिखा कि जीवन के इस दृष्टांत में विराटता है। जिस प्रकार ग्रह भौतिकशास्त्र में नियत नियमों से चक्कर काट रहे हैं, जीवन के रूप भी एक से दूसरे में बदल रहे हैं।

प्रकाशन से मची हलचल

'वेस्टीज ऑफ क्रिएशन' तो बेस्टसेलर बन गई थी और खूब लोकप्रिय हुई थी, पर इस पुस्तक के प्रकाशन ने वैज्ञानिक जगत को ही नहीं, बल्कि पूरे समाज को हिला दिया। मनुष्य बंदर जैसे जीवों से विकसित हुआ है यह बात लोगों के गले के नीचे नहीं उतरी। न केवल धर्माचार्य बल्कि वैज्ञानिक व विचारक भी इस बात को स्वीकार नहीं कर सके।

रिचर्ड ओवन जैसे वैज्ञानिक खुल कर विरोध में आये। प्रसिद्ध हक्सले परिवार के वैज्ञानिक थॉमस हक्सले डार्विन के प्रबल समर्थक बन गये जिन्होंने उनके पक्ष में अनेक जगह पुरजोर बहसें की। यहां तक कि हक्सले को लोग डार्विन का बुलडॉग कहने लगे।

चर्चों ने भी इसे सिरे से नकार दिया। डार्विन के चर्च के शिक्षकों सेजविक व हेंसलॉ ने इस सिद्धांत को एकदम खारिज कर दिया। हालांकि कुछ उदारवादी पादरियों, चार्ल्स किंग्सले आदि, ने इसे 'भगवान द्वारा विकास की योजना' बताया। बेडन पावेल ने भी कहा कि चमत्कार भगवान के नियमों को तोड़ते हैं, अतः उन्हें मानना जीव उत्पत्ति के संबंध में नास्तिकतावाद है। डार्विन ने भगवान की स्वविकास की महान शक्ति को ही उजागर किया है। पर अधिकांश समाज इसके विरोध में ही खड़ा रहा। और जगह-जगह बहस-मुबाहरों और खतो किताबत होने लगी।

एक प्रसिद्ध बहस 1860 में ब्रिटिश एसोसियेशन फॉर एडवांसमेंट ऑफ साइंस में रही। ऑक्सफोर्ड सैमुअल विल्बरफोर्स के बिशप ने इसका जोरदार विरोध किया। वहां पर गर्म बहस छिड़ गयी। हूकर पक्ष में बोलते रहे व हक्सले भी। आखिर तर्कों से आजिज आकर बिशप ने पूछा “हस्सले महाशय, यह बतायें कि आपके नाना की तरफ बंदर थे या दादा की ?" हक्सले का जगप्रसिद्ध जवाब है "मुझे एक बंदर का वंशज होना ज्यादा बेहतर लगता है, बजाए एक ऐसे सभ्य व्यक्ति के जो अपनी संस्कृति व वाक्पटुता की क्षमता का इस्तेमाल पूर्वाग्रहों व झूठ की सेवा में करता है।" यह बहस हक्सले के पक्ष में तालियों की गड़गड़ाहट के साथ सम्पन्न हुई। हालांकि लोगों का मिजाज नहीं बदला पर एक नई सोच व हलचल आ गई थी।

डार्विन का योगदान

डार्विन का सबसे महत्वपूर्ण योगदान रहा कि उन्होंने क्रमिक विकास को स्थापित कर दिया। हालांकि भौतिकवादी दर्शन स्थापित हो चुका था, पर जीवन के संबंध में अभी भी भ्रांतियां बाकी थीं। इस विषय में धर्म और ईश्वर का ही योगदान माना जाता था। या कहा जाये तो यह पहेली अनसुलझी थी। डार्विन ने अपनी खोज से सर्वप्रथम यह स्थापित किया कि जीवन या जैव प्रजातियों का विकास हुआ है, अर्थात जिस रूप में हम आज इन्हें देखते हैं उस रूप में ये पहले नहीं थे। पहले जीवन की अल्पविकसित प्रजातियां थीं जो धीरे-धीरे विकसित होकर आज की प्रजातियों और उसमें भी उसके सर्व विकसित रूप मानव के रूप में बनी। इससे यह भी स्पष्ट होता है कि यदि यह सर्वज्ञानी सर्वशक्तिमान ने ही बनाया है तो क्यों वह पहले विकसित प्रजाति नहीं बना सका ? क्या उसे आता नहीं था? यह सर्वथा उसकी धारणा के ही विपरीत है। क्योंकि इस खोज में डार्विन ने क्रमिक विकास को स्थापित सत्य सिद्ध किया, अतः सष्टि के अनेक सिद्धांत चाहे जेनेसिस हो, चाहे ब्रह्मा द्वारा रचना या अन्य कोई सबको एकदम ध्वस्त कर दिया।

दूसरे, डार्विन ने इस विकास के लिए एक सिद्धांत प्रस्तुत किया। डार्विन के समकालीन रसॅल वॉलेस भी कुछ ऐसे ही निष्कर्षों पर पहुंचे थे पर वे स्पष्ट सिद्धांत प्रतिपादित नहीं कर सके। जैसा कि प्रसिद्ध वैज्ञानिक रिचर्ड फिनमेन ने कहा है कि सिर्फ नियमों को खोजना ही पर्याप्त नहीं है, बल्कि एक ऐसा सिद्धांत खोजना जिससे ये नियम स्वयंसिद्ध व सरल प्रतीत हों। यही काम डार्विन ने किया। उन्होंने स्पष्टता से यह प्रतिपादित किया कि प्राकतिक चयन में सक्षम प्रजाति आगे विकसित होती है और यही जीव विकास का कारण है।

आज विकास के 400 से अधिक सिद्धांत प्रचलित हैं। पर, आज भी उनका वर्गीकरण डार्विनवादी व गैर-डार्विनवादी सिद्धांतों के रूप में होता है। यही सबसे महत्वपूर्ण है कि डार्विन ने यह स्पष्ट कर दिया कि न केवल क्रमिक विकास हुआ बल्कि इसे प्राक तिक विज्ञान के नियमों व सिद्धांतों से समझा जा सकता है। जैविक विकास व प्रजातियों की उत्पत्ति कोई अलौकिक चमत्कारिक घटना नहीं है बल्कि पदार्थों के गुण व प्रक ति के नियमों के अनुरूप होती है। इस तरह डार्विन ने जीव विज्ञान में भी भौतिकवादी अवधारणा को प्रतिस्थापित किया तथा प्रचलित मान्यताओं को धाराशायी कर दिया। इसने भौतिकवाद को स्थापित होने में बहुत मदद की। आज जबकि जीव पूर्व विकास (प्रीबाओटिक इवोल्यूशन) व जीवन की उत्पत्ति (ओरिजिन ऑफ लाइफ) के सिद्धांत भी मौजूद हैं, डार्विन का योगदान इन्हें स्पष्ट व सहज दिखाने में बहुत ही कारगर है।

मार्क्स ने अपनी पुस्तक में डार्विन के योगदान को सराहा जिसके भाव को एंगेल्स ने मार्क्स की कब्र पर अपने प्रसिद्ध बयान में व्यक्त किया "जिस तरह तरह डार्विन ने जीव विकास के नियमों की खोज की उसी प्रकार मार्क्स ने मानव इतिहास के विकास की खोज की।" अपनी पुस्तक 'प्रक ति का द्वंद्व' में उन्होंने लिखा “यहां डार्विन का नाम प्रमुखता से लिया जाना चाहिए जिन्होंने प्रक ति की अधिभूतवादी अवधारणा को जबरदस्त धक्का दिया और यह सिद्ध किया कि आज का जीवित संसार पौधे, पशु एवं मनुष्य भी करोड़ों वर्षों से चल रही विकास की एक प्रक्रिया के उत्पाद हैं।" हालांकि एंगेल्स ने यह भी कहा कि "डार्विन की सैद्धांतिक अवधारणा से मैं विकास के सिद्धांत को स्वीकार करता हूं, पर डार्विन के सिद्ध करने के तरीके ( जीवन के लिए संघर्ष, प्राकतिक चयन ) को मैं नये खोजे गये तथ्य (विकास) की प्राथमिक, अपूर्ण व अस्थाई व्याख्या मानता हूं।"

और, यह सत्य भी है कि डार्विन ने स्थापित किया कि जीवन के विकास को भौतिकवादी प्राक तिक नियमों से समझा जा सकता है। अंततः बीमारी की वजह से 19 अप्रैल, 1882 को डाउन हाउस डोन, केंट, इंग्लैण्ड में डार्विन का निधन हुआ।

Discussion on Covid 19

As planned discussion on Covid 19 took place on March 31^st, 2020 at 6:00 pm via video conferencing. Main pannel  was joined by Dr. Rajat (Medical Microbiologist, Dehradun), Prof. Sudha (Biotechnology JIIT), Jaydeep, Ankit, Pankaj, and Mrigank. Dr. Vijay Gujjar from AIIMS, Dr. Bittu (Ashoka University), Dr. Avani and Atul could could not join due to different reasons. Certain points were framed to be focussed in discussion like:

i. whether this virus lab produced or a natural virus.
ii. Its mode of spread
iii. its immunity and possibility of developing it naturally
iv. vaccine
v. symptoms and treatment
vi. diagnostic tools
vii. is it thermostable, up to what temperate, will it be killed in summer?
viii. The role of governments and their responses
ix. Situation in India, and world. Do we expect an explosion?

x. Different narratives and pseudo science around this.

The discussion lasted for more than two hours. A brief extract is as follows.

i. whether this virus lab produced or a natural virus

Prof. Sudha made a detailed presentation on the issue summarised below:

Basing largely on reputed Science Journal report ( Andersen et al. Nature Medicine, 17 March 2020 ) she said that the recent social and electronic media are filled with speculation that Covid-19 is an engineered bioterrorism weapon.

We would like to present a scientific report from Nature Medicine that strongly indicates that its more likely a natural evolution of coronavisus.

Covid-19 is a SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes severe disease in humans in addition to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV while other coronavirus like HKU1, NL63, OC43 and 229E also infect humans but with mild symptoms. Comparative analysis of genomes of coronaviruses, shows maximum resemblance (96% identical) to that of bat SARS-CoV. However, RBD the region responsible for binding with human receptor (ACE2) contains five different amino acids out of the reported six crucial amino acids. These RBD mutations results in stronger binding of COVID-19 with human receptor as compared to other coronaviruses. This immediately raises doubts that someone might have mutated these amino acids to achieve stronger binding, however as per computational analysis the binding energies are poorer with these mutations. Instead, computational analysis predicted few other mutations that might lead to optimum binding. In addition to this, all six mutations present in RBD domain of COVID 19 are present in Pangolin coronavirus that has lesser genomic sequence similarity than bat coronavirus. In other words, based on computational predictions the COVID-19 mutations could not have been engineered. Infact, it is suggestive of natural selection process with coinfection of bat and pangolin coronavirus.

Secondly, Covid -19 sequence also contains insertion of furin cleavage site that is not present in any of these beta coronaviruses. This suggests that probably it is the result of evolutionary process. Similar furin cleavage site insertion was observed in evolutionary progression of influenza virus. This is possible only when there is transfer from human-to-human for quite sometime before insertion of these cleavage sites. Since the first report of coronavirus came in November 2019, hence insertion event is less likely. Although, few of the reports show coronavirus infection in china in early 2019, but its not sure whether it was from COVID19(SARS CoV-2) or other SARS-CoV. To establish this one needs to screen blood samples of other patients with similar symptoms reported during early 2019.

Alternatively, let us evaluate the possibility of leakage of coronavirus from Laboratory as was observed in case of SARS-CoV, i.e., during laboratory studies it leaked into the environment. There is a possibility of mutations in RBD domain during cell culture. But there were no reports of cell culture studies on some progenitor of SARS-CoV-2. Hence it is more probable that a natural recombination or mutation event through Pangolin coronavirus. In addition to this, the presence of furin cleavage sites and especially the O-linked glycans that is immune response associated feature is not possible through cell culture system.

All the above facts strongly suggest COVID-19 a result of natural process rather than any bioterrorism or engineered product. Though it cannot be proved or disproved with surety as that would require many more studies.

It was supported by Dr. Rajat as he also said that SARS-CoV-2 and the resulting CoVID-19 seems to be a consequence of natural spill over from animal reservoir into humans, due to extensive close interactions with wild-life in China, especially for eating purpose.

It was discussed and generally agreed upon that it was not a laboratory generated virus.

ii. Its mode of spread, its immunity and possibility of developing it naturally, vaccine symptoms and treatment diagnostic tools

Diagnosis of COVID-19: The predominant symptoms of Covid-19 are sore throat, dry cough and high grade fever with or without rhinitis, especially in suspects with a travel history or with a history of close contact with laboratory confirmed cases. Till date, the real-time PCR based tests are the only methods to detect SARS-CoV-2. ICMR is working with a team of experts on serological test. As of now, till date there are no validated serological tests that can “diagnose” CoVID-19. So rapid test should not be used or promoted.

CoVID-19 is not an air-borne disease in community. So strict compliance to hand hygiene practices (washing hands with soap and water, with a contact time of soap for a minimum of 20 seconds, consistently shall be a good thing to keep the virus away. Washing the hands after coming in contact with high touch areas such as door knobs, cell phones etc. shall be practised. At no point of time the contaminated hands shall come in contact with eyes, mouth and nose.

vii. is it thermostable, up to what temperate, will it be killed in summer?

It is very difficult to ascertain this as its a new virus. There are no concrete studies. One paper cited that it gets killed at temperature above 25 C. But obviously wrong as human body temperature is 37 C, anther paper suggested it can survive up to 70 C. But the point is its spread. On what medium and surface will it withstand temperature is yet to be seen. No conclusions can be drawn as of now.

viii. The role of governments and their responses

All agreed and suggested in different ways that the response and role of the government was far from adequate. First they kept sleeping early this year. Even WHO responded late, but when it did GOI took no heed. They should have cheeked the incoming flights, diverted international flights to less used airports, screened the passengers appropriate steps could have been taken. As this is not a virus originally found in India, the outbreak could have been avoided. In February we were told that Health Minister is taking close watch and no need to worry. Early March to PM reiterated that India is out of danger. They were busy in MP government toppling etc. They kept on exporting masks and ventilators till mid March without any foresight or worry for the country.

When it did it was not adequate. Modi was busy in event making only. Lock-down was done without any planning. It has put millions of poor people into great misery. The relief announced was very very small and inadequate. While US decided to spend 10% of GDP India decided only 1% for it. Many other countries are spending more than that. And if we compare to size of GDP and population, we will see horrifying figures. In any case, magnanimous amount is only about Rs. 1200/- per person in India.

While a nation wide drama was called for on 22^nd of March, 5 pm for thanks giving do medical , sanitation staff etc., no concrete messures were taken to help them. We see healthcare staff working without PPEs and reports of doctors getting infected started tricking in. Many of those who must have clapped or banged the plates etc. And are landlrds ahve asked their tenants medical staff to vacate. So much for (pseudo)thanks giving. Someone aptly remarked that it became clear at 5 pm on March 22nt as to why India was ruled by Britons for about 200 years. Response of Delhi government was also far from adequate. It has left a majority of people out of its net of relief.

Pankaj substantiated it with some data of UP.

Other all over the world have been poor in response. US kept on denying it till it really became a threat. US companies initially saw it an opportunity to reap profit. Even later there was a lobbying that as younger people are more resistant, they should be allowed to work.

The example of China was discussed where quarantine was done with door step delivery of all essential commodity and medical care (for all ailments). That is how they could control it.

Various other aspects were discussed.

ix. Situation in India, and world. Do we expect an explosion?

The explosion is possible but probably can be avoided. As of now figures are deceptive as not enough testing is done in India. We may expect a higher number in a week as incubation time for most of the suspected to be infected will be over by then. If it reaches below (socio economically lower strata) explosion is not unexpected. All is only speculation.

x. Different narratives and pseudo science around this.

A narrative that china has designed a biological weapon. Some videos that a chines women is spitting and spreading the virus were made viral. It was shown that these videos are fake as shown by fact checking sites. As discussed in first part, this is unlikely. In any case if it was so, it is a very poor bio bomb, with low rate of mortality.

All the pseudo science that is propagated like “cow therapy”, “bell Therapy” poojas and rituals are obviously not right. But it is coming from those in power and misguiding people from real science is very dangerous for society.

HRD Minster, IITs and pseudo Science

Recently the Minister of Human Resource and Development has attended to convocations of  Indian Institute of Technology, first one at Mumbai and second one at Kharagpur. in both convocations he made his believe in superstitions and pseudo scientific interpretation of  ancient texts and believes very loud and clear that ancient texts contain knowledge which is far ahead of modern science. obviously, without any proof or rational.

 Interestingly this happened in front of the Directors and many  academicians who are also eminent scientists. But no one spoken word then or later.  Is it career or fear that is prevailing intellectual particularly, after 2nd term of NDA regime? 

 This implies is very dangerous Trend.   speak up rise and protest otherwise you may save your career,   you may save your skins- but you will not be able to save academic or Science. 

Indian Science Congress 2019: Vulgar Outburst of Pseudo Science

 

(This article Written by Mrigank was published in New Democracy) 

The recently concluded Indian Science Congress has once again exposed the way science is being fashioned in India. Ever since the RSS backed government has taken over, the process of projecting pseudo- science as science has been intensified manifold. All scientific institutions are forced to make pseudo-science a part of their routine. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Development (CSIR) made a high-powered committee to study panchgavya, IITs were asked to research on the genetic code of the Bull. Organizing different meetings in IITs, universities etc. to propagate and promote Pseudo-Science is part of this game. Books of Vigyan Bharti (VIBHA, an RSS outfit) were introduced in Institutes of excellence. For the first time, a Non CSIR Scientist has been selected to head CSIR. Apart from his scientific credentials, he is vice president of VIBHA, which is probably the most significant of his qualifications to get the post of Director General CSIR.

Indian Science Congress 2019: Two Claims

The claims made by two ‘scientists’ in Indian Science Congress this year are part of the same and a continuation of the tall but false claims made in Indian Science Congress 2015.  A session on “Ancient Sciences through Sanskrit “was kept in that. (click here for its critique) This time, though there was no such session per se, two presenters made their belief in pseudo-science very brazen. On January 5th, Andhra University Vice-Chancellor, G Nageswara Rao, become an overnight ‘celebrity’ when he claimed that Kauravas were test tube babies. As the legend goes, they were born to Gandhari as a result of a boon granted to her by Vyasa. After two years of pregnancy, she delivered a lump of flesh. This was cut into a hundred pieces by Vyasa and kept in 100 pitchers filled with ghee. After another two years, the jars were opened and thus the Kaurvas were born. This Mr. Rao claimed is an evidence of test tube babies at that time, without even understanding what it means. Test tube babies are only fertilized outside (in vitro) and they do need a womb to grow. He also claimed that Ravana had a fleet of 24 aircraft and there existed airports at that time in Sri Lanka.  He further challenged Darwin and said that the theory of evolution is echoed in dashavataras of Lord Vishnu. It is a different matter that the Genesis, the first book of Bible also had somewhat similar and more direct description. But can they be called theories? Again, he is confused between the theory of evolution (there exist many) and concept of evolution. Interestingly his audience comprised mainly school kids.

The other gentleman was more vulgar. DR. KJ Krishnan from Tamilnadu proclaimed that Newton’s Theory of gravitation was wrong and his own theory of gravitational phenomenon gives an apt understanding of gravitational phenomenon. He too chose schools kids as his ‘subjects’(audience). He stated that bigger things are heavier (he has no idea about density). He made an assertion that the Sun is 333000 times bigger than the earth, so which is heavier? Answer obviously is Sun. Little does he realise that this figure of 333000 is about the mass of the sun and not its size. The diameter of the sun is about 109 times bigger than that of earth and thus it can fit more than 1 million earths in it. Then he said that if we travel in space where sun and earth are there, which is heavier sun, earth or space. Children replied space as it is bigger. Encouraged by this he went on to say that 1 Kg feather will be heavier than 1 Kg of iron. And now he proposes that it is the pressure of heavier and ‘self-compressive’ space which is responsible for motion of planet. Newton had little idea about gravity and physics. Krishnan pose a question that if there was gravity, why does water go up in fountains- pressure is the answer! (it is a different matter that people conversant with elementary mechanics can answer this question). Krishnan further said that Einstein misled the world. He wanted gravitational waves to be renamed as ‘Modi Waves’ and gravitational lens as ‘Harsh Vardhan effect’ as he is a better scientist than APJ Abdul Kalam. 

Despite being utterly non-scientific, and dragging in the names of ruling government’s PM and minister, no one from the government or ruling party made any statement. Not just obscurantism, not just pseudo- science but now utter sycophancy will be science.

Pseudo-Science

Pseudoscience consists of statements, beliefs, or practices that are claimed to be both scientific and factual, but are incompatible with the scientific method. It is prevalent in many aspects of our lives. There has been design to spread this. Let us see some examples in daily life.

What is Pseudo-Science in general?

There are many examples. There was a propaganda via social media and certain TV channels of an eschatological faith that the world will come to an end by December 21st, 2012. Well, we are still there. Concepts like alternate medicine, detoxification, some positive and negative energies, vastu, ancient astronauts who once invaded the Earth, different variants of astrology, magnetic healing, etc.  are some of the examples. The list is very large and it will be difficult to enumerate all here.

They are prevalent everywhere in our lives. But the dangerous trend is that they are being mouthed by the people in positions of power and through institutions of Science. It has increased in the last a few years. Some glaring examples are discussed below.

Pseudo-Science in Science in last 4 years

Right from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to many of his Ministers, Ministers of different states, and other powerful people, all have been very vocal on this front. PM stated that putting of an elephant’s head on human body is an example of plastic surgery in ancient times. Again, he did not realize that if this were true, it is much more advanced than plastic surgery. It is transplant and that too inter specific transplant! Similarly birth of Karna is projected as some advancement in genetic science. Minister of Science and technology Mr. Harshvardhan, on the death of Stephan Hawkins claimed that even Stephan Hawkins recognized the superiority of Vedas over current scientific knowledge. Refusing to give reference he told journalists to hunt themselves. Some of them did so and found a claim on a website of a registered charitable trust – Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas (I-SERVE)  which is claimed to be recognized by DSIR (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research). It had a Facebook post not by Hawking but some self-styled fan of his, who is using a fake profile. The office of Hawkins denied this claim.

A Minister under Raje Government of Rajasthan, Vasudev Devnani claimed that cows exhale oxygen. Another one claimed that peahens get pregnant by tears of peacock and thus is a sage like bird (Brhamchari). A Minister of Haryana who apparently has done M.Phil. in Chemistry challenged the theory of evolution of Darwin on the ground that none of our ancestors have seen a monkey turning into man, again, without understanding either the theory of Darwin or phenomenon of the Evolution. The scale of Evolution is much larger in time span than he imagines. And secondly Darwin did not say that monkeys have transformed into humans. All he proposed was that there were common ancestors. Chief minister of Uttarakhand Ramesh Pokhryal claimed astrology is the biggest science. Minister of health of Assam Himanta Biswas believes that cancer is divine punishment of sins committed in previous lives. 

Examples are many.  But dangerous is its Infiltration into Indian Science Congress, asking Institutes to do research (actually not research, but asking scientists to validate the pre-decided claims or beliefs) like constituting of a high-profile committee including former DG of CSIR RA Mashelakar, then DG Girish Sahni, directors of IITs to validate magical properties of panchgavya. Lalit Kala Academy organized an exhibition titled “Cultural Continuity from Rigveda to Robotics” in September 2015, about the same time that a seminar on Vedic chronology was organized. 

There are a few features than can be deduced. One is that all the landmark discoveries in mathematics, medicine and other disciplines of science are claimed to be ‘as already discovered’ in ancient India. Like Pythagoras theorem, surgery, algebra, calculus, energy matter duality etc. It is true that many of the things were indeed discovered in India, but not in Vedic period. Aryabhata, Bhaskar Acharya, Madhav Acharya, Sridhar Acharya etc. made some amazing contribution in the field of mathematics and astronomy, there was some development in surgery though primitive and very limited- a sort of plastic surgery which is referred to as ‘Hindu Rhinoplasty”. And for the rest they are just claiming by inventing similarities. By doing this, instead of glorifying and correcting some part of the history of science, they are discrediting even what was there with their ridiculously false claims.

This is true that the history of science is written by Western scholars and they have conveniently forgotten the part of history in the east. Ancient science or knowledge is referred to as Greek Science and developments in India and China do not find any mention in it. But that does not mean to go beyond facts in order to correct that.

By this they are also trying to blur the line between myths and history. Like relating some claim of miracles with some present-day concept. For instance, description of Pushpaka Vimana to aviation technology, birth of Kauravas to stem cell etc. etc. by doing so, will gradually authenticate myths as history.

There is an attempt to prove that all was known in ancient times & is recorded in Sanskrit texts and is just being rediscovered now by modern science. So, we must be proud of the same, if not so we are anti national. Little does this dwell on as to why suddenly all was lost? Why do we not read these texts and predict scientific developments rather than relating to it when a new thing is discovered.

Similarly, attempts are also on to legitimize well known pseudo-sciences like astrology, numerology, Vaastu etc.  by putting forward arguments to assert it is real scientific

Political Implications

There is a pattern and design in all this. These are not some statements of some perverts which we just ridicule and laugh over and forget. There are several serious implications. Such statements are coming from those who are in power including the Prime Minister himself. It has implication for the science policy that is going to be perused.

The idea is not at all to correct the history. They are not interested in the correction of history and actually have no sense of history at all. It is a different matter that they try to use some historical evidence and add them to their figments of imagination to justify falsified history. There can always be errors in history writing, but that can be corrected by facts and new evidences. But they want to prove or want people to believe that they are first in everything and nothing great has ever come from outside India. The theory of racial/religious superiority is thus established to support their chauvinistic designs. It is not just the madness of a few but building of narrative of ‘scientific ancient India’ and thereby establishing that ancient scriptures are absolutely right. By creating this myth, they also build a narrative to submerge people in the ‘awe of our greatness’. A myth of superiority- culturally and scientifically, and a feeling of “since we were great once, we shall great be once again” is percolated. And they think this will happen simply by praising the past and not attempting to do anything concrete now! We shall come to the current situation a little later.

Let us see some points that historians of science have generally agreed on. Modern science has taken birth after the advent of capitalism and has materialism (though mostly mechanistic) as its philosophical basis. It has been thought that mathematics is the language of nature and all things can be described and quantified in terms of mathematical formulations and theories of different types. The correct ideas are developed by method of inquiry which includes cause and effect, rationality, evidence-based deduction, generalization by analysis and synthesis, and predicting new and all this is reproducible. This type of thinking was not there earlier in any civilizations, be it Graeco-Roman, Judeo-Christian, Babylonian or any other. Indian and Chinese were no exceptions. Very appropriately Thomas Kuhn has said that ancient and modern science of knowledge practically lived in different world. We can interpret this as they were in different socio-economic systems and have philosophical basis commensurating to with the same.  Thus, connecting the two, or seeking sense of either continuity or even saying that the earlier was greater is not just incorrect and unwarranted, it is counterproductive. It will hold back actual progress, will deter critical thinking and scientific temper and thereby any further progress. The worldview of Vedic era cannot be applicable today and vice versa. It will only be hindering and pushing knowledge backwards. Such fabrication of heritage has only helped and will only help orthodoxy and obscurantism. 

This will result in not only ‘not developing’ science and knowledge further but also will ‘undevelop’ the developments so far. As one will seek solutions in knowledge of the past, many of modern things will have to be undone. For instance, explanation of certain diseases will be changed and thus their treatment. Cow dung and urine will be pious. Aeronautics will be replaced by non-scientific Vimana Shastra and so on. Worse is that the methodology of arriving at truth is under attack. Rationality, cause and effect will no more be the basis of gaining new knowledge. In fact, there won’t be any new or need to find new, as all was known earlier.

Thus, Hindutva forces are trying to strengthen the theory of their brigade that all that was good was here and nothing good can and has come from outside. This is the reason they are so much opposed to the theory of Aryan migration. Their stand gives them a basis of ethnic and religious superiority and also justify their chauvinistic stand and stand against minorities and Dalits.

A second thing which also is not much talked about, is this helps to subverts the interest of the country to imperialist powers. They are not opposed to dominance of foreign capital in any field. In fact, they are not just welcoming it but spreading red carpets and trying to remove all the hurdles to its plunder. 

Imperialism is quite comfortable with this. In fact, more than happy, as it helps it to dominate in the field of knowledge, science, learning as well as technology. While we will remain awed with the so-called glory of our past, our dependence on imperialist powers will increase. Not just currently, but in future too, as the very methodology of developing and evolving knowledge will be mired with false pride of being Vishwa Guru. It provides a very good cover tofacilitate imperialist dominance.

Science budget

Let us have a quick glance at funding. The effective budget for Science and Technology has been constantly decreasing. Research funds are being slashed, even the so-called Institutions of eminence are facing a crunch. Budgetary allocation has been static at about 0.7% of GDP, although Department of Science and Technology (DST) claimed that the amount has almost doubled. But a professor of BHU disagrees with the claims. He argues that since salaries of faculty members and fellowships of research scholars have gone up, this has taken away most of the increase. The fund crunch problem is real, says a Geneticist, an INSA Fellow and chair of Biology at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune. “Irrespective of how much funds are provisioned in the budget, somewhere in the pipeline, there are blockages,” he told Nature India. Even a year after grants are approved, scientists don’t receive the money, which affects not only the progress of research but also the long-term career prospects of their students, he says. IITs, CSIR labs etc. have been asked to generate half of their funds of their own. It means subservience to MNCs. This is the actual truth of new slogan by PM at Indian Science Congress 2019 – Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Anusandhan.

In current Budget, Piyush Goyal has announces Rs. 12396 crores for Science which is slightly higher than last year’s Budget allocation of Rs.12332 crore. With correction of inflation it is not significant at all.  And a large chunk of it will go to programmes like digital villages, artificial intelligence, etc. which are designed to be run by MNCs. These programmes are not Science per se but the result of application of it has a semblance of Science particularly for common people. At the same time there is diversion of funds to pseudo-science. Projects like research in panchgavya, finding of Sanjeevani Booti, AYUSH, genetic code of cow etc. are getting huge funds. Which further reduces the allocations to Scientific Research needed for India. This abets the conditions of WTO/WB of doing away with basic science in India. Whatever little budget was there, a large chunk will be diverted to pseudo-science.  

In a nutshell it can be seen that promotion of pseudo-science is not simply an idea of some silly sounding people, but has a well-conceived design which is to fulfil the RSS ‘Hindutva’ agenda on the one hand and abet unbridled imperialist dominance on the other. The real science and this real development of both Science, Research and that of researchers has taken a back seat. This calls upon scientists, and people who stand for Science to raise a powerful voice against this Hindutva project. The silver lining is that unlike 2015, this time scientists and academicians have spoken and protested. There were protests in Bangalore and other cities by scientists, INSA has come out with a resolution. There have been many discussions, meetings on Pseudo-Science in various universities. This needs to be intensified.