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Question #45520
The Question
Suppose an advanced Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) initiative utilizes a patented CRISPR-Cas9 construct to correct a mutated gene causing hereditary infertility directly in a human zygote. Which of the following statements correctly identifies the biological nature of this intervention and the primary ethical-legal paradox it creates according to biotechnology principles?
Options
- A.
It represents germline gene therapy, resulting in heritable alterations to the human gene pool and raising ethical paradoxes regarding corporate patent ownership over human lineages.
- B.
It represents somatic cell gene therapy, as the correction targets infertility, ensuring the patented sequence remains confined to the individual's reproductive organs.
- C.
It is a standard Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) that alters the offspring's phenotype without genomic integration, thus bypassing biopiracy laws.
- D.
It represents germline gene therapy, which is the standard, ethically approved method used to permanently cure ADA deficiency, thereby avoiding patent disputes.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
RCH Program Objectives|Gene Therapy Germline vs Somatic|Biopiracy and Patents
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Distinguishing between Somatic and Germline gene therapy based on the target cell (lymphocyte vs. zygote) and synthesizing this with the ethical implications of biotechnology (Chapter 12).
A common misconception is that the historic ADA deficiency treatment was a permanent germline cure, whereas NCERT explicitly notes it was somatic and required periodic infusions.
Furthermore, students must connect the concept of heritability with the ethical paradox of patenting genetic sequences (IP rights) entering the human evolutionary lineage.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Reproductive Health - Class 12 |
| Concept | RCH Program Objectives |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |