UPSC Prelims 2019 · Question 46 of 99

UPSC Prelims 2019 question on RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi)' technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why?

1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.

2. It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer.

3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.

4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1, 2 and 4
  2. 2 and 3
  3. 1 and 3
  4. 1 and 4 only
Show answer

Answer: A. 1, 2 and 4

Verdict

Correct statements: 1, 2 and 4 → Option (a).

Analysis

RNAi is a gene silencing technology that inhibits protein synthesis in target cells using double-stranded RNA.

Statement by statement

Statement 1 – CORRECT: RNAi is used in developing gene silencing therapies.

Statement 2 – CORRECT: RNAi is used in functional genomics (systematic analysis of loss-of-function phenotypes induced by RNAi triggers) and developing therapies for the treatment of viral infection, dominant disorders, neurological disorders, and many types of cancers.

Statement 3 – INCORRECT: RNAi is not specifically used to develop hormone replacement therapies. It is not a recognized application of RNAi technology.

Statement 4 – CORRECT: RNAi has huge significance within the Indian context, considering the deep-seated resistance over the years to Bt cotton and other genetically modified seeds. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.

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