UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I
Question 65: Science and Technology
Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created?
- 1.To enable them to withstand drought
- 2.To increase the nutritive value of the produce
- 3.To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations
- 4.To increase their shelf life
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Genetic engineering has aimed at traits beyond pest resistance: drought and salinity tolerance, better nutrition (for example vitamin-A enriched golden rice) and longer shelf life (the Flavr Savr tomato). Making plants photosynthesise in spaceships or space stations is not one of the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created.
- 1. Drought-tolerant crops are a goal of genetic engineering.
- 2. Increasing nutritive value, as in golden rice, is a goal.
- 3. Growing and photosynthesising in spaceships is not an aim for which such plants were created.
- 4. Longer shelf life is a goal, as with the Flavr Savr tomato.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.
What you needed to know: Growing and photosynthesising in spaceships is not an aim for which such plants were created.
- Then, if you were sure statement 4 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 4 out.
What you needed to know: Longer shelf life is a goal, as with the Flavr Savr tomato.
Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 2.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incomplete: longer shelf life is also a goal.
- (b) Wrong: growing in spaceships is not a goal, and it leaves out drought tolerance and nutrition.
- (c) Correct: drought tolerance, better nutrition and longer shelf life.
- (d) Wrong: statement 3 on spaceships is not a goal.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.