UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 58
With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements :
- GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
- GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.
- GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B
Explanation: Indian GM mustard DMH-11 uses the barnase–barstar/bar system to facilitate hybrid seed production, rather than engineering broad pest resistance; it was developed through Delhi University research, not the stated IARI–PAU partnership.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Incorrect - The introduced genes facilitate male sterility/restoration and herbicide-marker selection, not general resistance to a wide variety of pests.
Statement/Item 2: Correct - Genetic modifications enable controlled hybridisation and cross-pollination for hybrid mustard seed.
Statement/Item 3: Incorrect - DMH-11 was developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, University of Delhi, not jointly by IARI and PAU.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/items 1, 3; omits correct statement/item 2.
B: Correct - includes all and only the true statements/items.
C: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 3.
D: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/items 1, 3.