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UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper 1, question 41

Topic: Science and technology

Q41

Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct ?

  1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease.

  2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine.

  3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence.

Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a) 1 only
  2. (b) 2 and 3 only
  3. (c) 1 and 2 onlyCorrect answer
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution.

Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only

  1. Statement 1 is correct: genetic medicines (such as gene replacement, gene silencing, and CRISPR editing) treat disease by correcting, replacing, or compensating for defective genes.
  2. Statement 2 is correct: viral vectors (such as adeno-associated viruses and lentiviruses) and non-viral lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the primary delivery vehicles for genetic medicines.
  3. Statement 3 is incorrect: genetic medicines target only specific disease-causing sequences or transcripts (or deliver a functional copy without altering chromosomal DNA) and never rewrite the entire genome.