Rauny, Rahul | India

Rahul Rauny has completed his PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India specializing in the intersection of society, health, and biotechnology. With an academic background that includes an M.Phil. in Social Sciences in Health and a Master's in Biotechnology, Rahul adopts a multidisciplinary approach to his research. His current focus is on genetic modification (GM) foods and gene editing technologies, exploring their scientific potential and broader societal implications. Rahul is particularly interested in how these technologies shape public perceptions and influence policy decisions in different cultural contexts, notably in India and Austria. His work aims to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and social responsibility, contributing to global dialogues on food security, climate resilience, and health equity. Rahul is committed to interdisciplinary research and advocates for inclusive policy frameworks that align biotechnological advancements with the needs of diverse communities.
 

Project at IAS-STS: Navigating Acceptance and Regulation: A Qualitative Exploration of Gene-Edited and Genetically Modified Food for Sustainable Food Systems in Austria and India

The global population is projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, heightening the challenge of producing enough nutritious food amidst climate change, resource scarcity, and growing demand for high-quality produce. Traditional agricultural methods are proving inadequate, prompting the exploration of innovative solutions like gene editing. This technique offers the potential to boost crop yields, enhance nutrition, and create climate-resilient crops, which are vital for ensuring food security and combating malnutrition. However, gene editing also raises concerns related to safety, ethics, and the disruption of existing food systems. Although gene editing shares similarities with classical genetically modified (GM) techniques, distinctdifferences in regulation and public perception necessitate tailored approaches. This study, under the IAS-STS fellowship, undertakes a comparative analysis of Austria and India to explore public perceptions, stakeholder perspectives, and policies surrounding gene-edited and classical GM plants and food products. By examining the unique social, cultural, and political contexts of each nation, the research aims to understand how these factors influence public acceptance and policy development for emerging agricultural technologies. The study's findings will inform policy recommendations that balance public concerns with the potential benefits of gene editing, ultimately supporting the creation of sustainable and equitable food systems for future generations.
 

Selected Publications:

Rauny, R. (2024), chapter titled: Food Security in India: Paradigm Shifts in Programs and Policies and their Implications" in the book titled ‘Food Security in the Developing World: status, challenges and Opportunities’ (ISBN: 978-3-031-57282-1), edited by Pardeep Singh, Springer Nature, Switzerland.

Rauny, R (2022), Analysing the Ethical Ground of Unhealthy Anarchism of Health Apps: A Case Study of Arogaya Setu App in India, Society of Social Studies of Science, Cholula conference, Mexico.

Rauny, R (2021), The second wave of COVID-19 in India: The politics of missing death numbers, International Health Policies, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.

Rauny, R (2020), chapter titled ‘Agricultural Biotechnology and Food Security in a Warming World’, in the book titled ‘Recent Development in the Science and Technology’ (ISBN 978- 93-80966-84-7), edited by Dr. Neelam Kumari by Sunrise Publications.

Rauny, R (2019) ‘The political economy of nutritional anemia in India’. Paper presented at international conference on social sciences and health innovations, at Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia.

Rauny, R (2018), The biological, environmental, and dietary determinants of nutritional anemia in India: a narrative review, Edu World, ISSN (2319-7129), Vol- XII, No-6, Page:440-445.