Consider the following statements:
1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent.
2. A person's genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage.
3. Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 and 3 only

2 only

1, 2 and 3

APEDIA

UPSC Prelims

2020 • 04 Oct, 2020 • Paper-1

Consider the following statements:
1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent.
2. A person's genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage.
3. Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer

1, 2 and 3

Germline Editing Capability: Through advanced technologies like CRISPR-Cas9, it is scientifically possible to introduce genetic modifications into germline cell......

💡 Analysis & Explanation

Germline Editing Capability ▼

Through advanced technologies like CRISPR-Cas9, it is scientifically possible to introduce genetic modifications into germline cells (reproductive cells like sperm and eggs), though this practice faces intense ethical and legal restrictions globally. Statement 1 is technically correct.

Embryonic Alteration ▼

Similarly, precise gene-editing tools can theoretically alter the genome of an early-stage human embryo before birth. This was controversially demonstrated by the creation of CRISPR-edited babies in China. Statement 2 is scientifically factual.

Chimerism Research ▼

Scientists have successfully injected human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into animal embryos, including pigs, to research the potential of growing transplantable human organs inside animals (creating interspecies chimeras). Statement 3 is correct.

Conclusion ▼

All three statements represent scientifically proven procedures in modern biotechnology.

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