UPSC GS Paper III: Science Tech, Biotechnology, GMO, CRISPR, Bioinformatics, Stem Cells

Must?Know

• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are created by inserting foreign genes into an organism’s genome; Bt cotton, India’s first approved GM crop (2002), expresses Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis to resist bollworms.
• The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is the apex body for environmental clearance of GMOs under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
• CRISPR-Cas9 is a genome editing tool derived from bacterial immune systems; it uses guide RNA to target specific DNA sequences and Cas9 enzyme to make double-strand breaks, enabling gene knockout or insertion.
• The first clinical use of CRISPR in humans occurred in 2019 (UK) for treating sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia by editing the BCL11A gene to reactivate fetal hemoglobin.
• Bioinformatics combines biology, computer science, and statistics to analyze biological data; it enabled the annotation of the human genome during the Human Genome Project (completed 2003).
• The National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani, is an autonomous institute under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) focused on genomics and bioinformatics research.
• Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation; embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent, derived from the inner cell mass of blastocysts (5–7-day-old embryos).
• Adult (somatic) stem cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow, are multipotent and used in treating blood disorders like leukemia via bone marrow transplantation.
• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were first created in 2006 by Shinya Yamanaka using four transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) to reprogram adult somatic cells.
• The DBT-ICMR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research (2017) prohibit germline editing and reproductive cloning but permit research on embryonic and iPSCs under strict oversight by Institutional Committee for Stem Cell Research (IC-SCR).
• Golden Rice is a GM crop engineered to produce beta-carotene (provitamin A) using genes from daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) and Erwinia uredovora; approved for cultivation in the Philippines (2021) but not in India.
• The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2003), under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), regulates transboundary movement of LMOs (Living Modified Organisms); India ratified it in 2003.
• The Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions jointly address hazardous chemicals and waste, with the Rotterdam Convention (1998) implementing Prior Informed Consent (PIC) for certain agrochemicals, including some GM-related herbicides.
• The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill, proposed in 2013, aimed to replace GEAC with a statutory body; it lapsed due to opposition over lack of public consultation and perceived industry bias.
• The Genome India Project, launched in 2020 by DBT, aims to sequence 10,000 Indian genomes to build a reference genome database for precision medicine and rare disease research.
• The CRISPR-Cas12 and Cas13 systems differ from Cas9: Cas12 targets single-stranded DNA and exhibits collateral cleavage, while Cas13 targets RNA, enabling viral RNA detection (e.g., SHERLOCK diagnostic tool).
• Bioinformatics tools like BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) are used to compare nucleotide or protein sequences against databases to identify homologous sequences and infer function.
• The Indian Bioresource Information Network (IBIN), under the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), catalogs biodiversity data including traditional knowledge and genetic resources.
• The Nagoya Protocol (2010), under CBD, governs access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (ABS); India enacted the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and established NBA in 2003 to comply.
• The first transgenic plant (tobacco) was created in 1983 by Michael Bevan, Richard Flavell, and Mary-Dell Chilton using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer.
• The DBT launched the National Biopharma Mission (2017) with World Bank support to accelerate biopharmaceutical development, including mRNA vaccines and biosimilars.
• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) established the National Registry for Monogenic Disorders (2021) to collect genetic data on rare diseases using bioinformatics platforms.
• The 2022 amendment to the Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms permits conditional commercial release of GM food crops after GEAC approval and state consent.
• The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), 2001, facilitates access to crop genetic material under Multilateral System; India ratified it in 2002.

Difficulty Level

Intermediate – requires integration of scientific principles with regulatory frameworks and international agreements, frequently tested in both prelims and mains.

Common UPSC Traps

Trap: CRISPR is a synthetic technology invented entirely in labs – Fact: CRISPR is a naturally occurring bacterial immune mechanism against viruses, adapted for gene editing (source: Doudna and Charpentier, 2012).
Trap: All stem cell therapies are banned in India – Fact: Only unproven and commercial stem cell therapies are banned; research and clinical trials are permitted under ICMR-DBT guidelines.
Trap: Bioinformatics is only used in genomics – Fact: Bioinformatics is also used in proteomics, metabolomics, drug design, and epidemiological modeling (e.g., tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants).
Trap: GMOs are regulated solely by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) – Fact: FSSAI regulates GM food safety, but environmental release and field trials are under GEAC (MoEF&CC).

Practice MCQs

Question: Which of the following statements about the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is correct?
A) It functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
B) It is the final authority for approval of commercial release of GM crops in India
C) It was established under the Seeds Act, 1966
D) It is responsible for regulating only GM animals, not plants
Answer: B
Explanation: GEAC, under MoEF&CC, is the statutory body for environmental clearance and commercial release of GMOs under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Why others fail: A is wrong because GEAC is under MoEF&CC, not Health; C is incorrect as it is under EPA, 1986, not Seeds Act.

Question: The Nagoya Protocol, often seen in news, is related to:
A) Biosafety in transboundary movement of LMOs
B) Access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources
C) Regulation of stem cell research
D) International trade in biopharmaceuticals
Answer: B
Explanation: The Nagoya Protocol (2010) under CBD provides a legal framework for access to genetic resources and equitable sharing of benefits.
Why others fail: A describes the Cartagena Protocol, not Nagoya.

Question: Which of the following is a key application of CRISPR-Cas13?
A) Editing mitochondrial DNA
B) Targeting RNA viruses
C) Inducing chromosomal translocations
D) Creating transgenic animals
Answer: B
Explanation: CRISPR-Cas13 targets RNA and is used in diagnostics (e.g., SHERLOCK) for detecting RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
Why others fail: A is incorrect as Cas9/Cas12 do not efficiently edit mitochondrial DNA; B is the only RNA-targeting system.

Question: The Genome India Project is primarily aimed at:
A) Sequencing the entire rice genome for agricultural improvement
B) Creating a reference genome for the Indian population
C) Identifying GM contamination in food supply
D) Mapping biodiversity hotspots in the Western Ghats
Answer: B
Explanation: Launched by DBT in 2020, the project aims to sequence 10,000 Indian genomes to build a representative genomic database.
Why others fail: A refers to the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project; B is specific to human genomics.

Question: Which of the following statements about Golden Rice is correct?
A) It is fortified with iron and zinc using GM technology
B) It was developed to combat vitamin D deficiency
C) It contains beta-carotene biosynthesis genes from daffodil and bacteria
D) It has been approved for cultivation in India
Answer: C
Explanation: Golden Rice expresses phytoene synthase (from daffodil) and carotene desaturase (from Erwinia) to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.
Why others fail: A describes biofortified crops like zinc rice; D is false as Golden Rice is not approved in India.

Question: The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is supplementary to which of the following conventions?
A) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
B) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
C) Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
D) United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
Answer: B
Explanation: The Cartagena Protocol (2003) is a supplementary agreement to the CBD, focusing on biosafety of LMOs.
Why others fail: B is the only convention directly related to biodiversity and genetic resources.

Question: Which of the following best describes induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)?
A) Derived from umbilical cord blood and used in neonatal therapies
B) Generated by reprogramming adult somatic cells using specific genes
C) Harvested from aborted fetuses for regenerative medicine
D) Naturally present in all adult tissues for tissue repair
Answer: B
Explanation: iPSCs are created by introducing reprogramming factors (e.g., Oct4, Sox2) into adult cells, first demonstrated by Yamanaka in 2006.
Why others fail: A refers to hematopoietic stem cells; B is the only accurate description of iPSC generation.

Last?Minute Revision

• GEAC is under MoEF&CC, not FSSAI or Health Ministry.
• Bt cotton approved in India: 2002.
• CRISPR first human trial: 2019 (UK, for blood disorders).
• Golden Rice approved in: Philippines (2021), not India.
• Cartagena Protocol: 2003, under CBD.
• Nagoya Protocol: 2010, ABS mechanism.
• Human Genome Project completed: 2003.
• iPSCs discovered by: Shinya Yamanaka (2006).
• Genome India Project: 2020, DBT-led.
• Biological Diversity Act: 2002, established NBA.
• BRAI Bill proposed: 2013, lapsed.
• SHERLOCK tool uses: CRISPR-Cas13 for RNA detection.
• First transgenic plant: tobacco (1983).
• National Biopharma Mission: 2017.
• DBT-ICMR Stem Cell Guidelines: 2017.
• ITPGRFA ratified by India: 2002.
• Germline editing is prohibited in India.
• FSSAI regulates GM food safety; GEAC regulates environmental release.
• Bioinformatics used in BLAST, genome annotation, variant tracking.
• NIBMG located in: Kalyani, West Bengal.
• Agrobacterium tumefaciens used for plant gene transfer.
• Rotterdam Convention: 1998, PIC for hazardous chemicals.
• Basel Convention: 1989, hazardous waste.
• Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, adult stem cells are multipotent.
• Mitochondrial replacement therapy (three-parent baby) not permitted in India.
• verify from standard source: Exact number of genes in Golden Rice (2 transgenes: psy, crtI).