UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 42
Consider the following statements:
- Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent.
- A person's genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage.
- Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D (1, 2 & 3)
Explanation: Genome editing is possible in germline cells and early embryos, and human induced pluripotent stem cells have been introduced into pig embryos in interspecies-chimera research; all three describe technically possible approaches.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Correct - Germline genome editing may target gamete-forming lineages.
2. Correct - Editing may occur in an early human embryo before birth, subject to ethical/legal restrictions.
3. Correct - Human iPS cells have been injected into pig embryos in experimental research.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-omits correct item 2 (Editing may occur in an early human embryo before birth, subject to ethical/legal restrictions); omits correct item 3 (Human iPS cells have been injected into pig embryos in experimental research).
B. Incorrect-omits correct item 1 (Germline genome editing may target gamete-forming lineages).
C. Incorrect-omits correct item 1 (Germline genome editing may target gamete-forming lineages); omits correct item 3 (Human iPS cells have been injected into pig embryos in experimental research).
D. Correct-includes all and only valid statements/items 1, 2, 3.
Review note: Feasibility does not imply clinical approval or ethical acceptance.