Q44 · UPSC Prelims 2020 · Set A · Current Affairs and GK

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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?

A 1 only
B 2 and 3 only
C 2 only
D 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

  1. A

    1 only

    1 only. Embryonic editing and pig-embryo iPSC chimeras were also already shown in labs.

  2. B

    2 and 3 only

    2 and 3 only. Germ-line (egg/sperm) editing is also possible in principle/practice as keyed.

  3. C

    2 only

    2 only. Under-counts.

  4. D

    1, 2 and 3

    All three. Germ-line edits, early-embryo genome editing, and human iPSCs into a pig embryo — all reported as technically done.

Summary. Official key is (d) 1, 2 and 3. By 2020, labs could edit prospective parents’ germ cells, edit early human embryos, and inject human iPSCs into pig embryos. All three statements hold as capability claims.