2010 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies

Question 8: Science and Technology

Genetically modified “golden rice” has been engineered to meet human nutritional requirements. Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice ?

aThe grains have been fortified with genes to provide three times higher grain yield per acre than other high yielding varieties
bIts grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body
cIts modified genes cause the synthesis of all the nine essential amino acids
dIts modified genes cause the fortification of its grains with vitamin D.

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Golden rice has been engineered with genes (from daffodil and a bacterium in the original version) so that the grain makes beta-carotene, which gives it the yellow-orange colour. Beta-carotene is pro-vitamin A: the human body converts it to vitamin A. The aim is to tackle vitamin A deficiency, a cause of childhood blindness. It was not designed for higher yield, for essential amino acids or for vitamin D. Remember: golden rice = beta-carotene = pro-vitamin A.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Golden rice was engineered for nutrition, not for a threefold increase in yield.
  • (b) Right: the grain carries pro-vitamin A (beta-carotene) that the body turns into vitamin A.
  • (c) It does not make all the essential amino acids; the trait is a vitamin precursor.
  • (d) The fortification is with pro-vitamin A, not vitamin D.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.