✅ Answer: A) Bt CottonBt Cotton is India’s only approved GM crop for commercial cultivation, approved in 2002. It contains a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria that produces a protein toxic to bollworm pests. India became the world’s largest cotton producer partly due to Bt cotton adoption. Bt Brinjal was approved by GEAC but a moratorium was imposed in 2010. GM Mustard (DMH-11) was approved by GEAC in 2022 but faces legal challenges.

✅ Answer: B) CRISPR-Cas9 gene editingThe Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 was awarded to Jennifer Doudna (USA) and Emmanuelle Charpentier (France) for developing the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool. CRISPR-Cas9 acts as “molecular scissors” to cut DNA at specific locations, allowing genes to be edited, added, or removed. It has revolutionised biology and medicine. Applications include treating genetic diseases, developing disease-resistant crops, and cancer therapy.

✅ Answer: A) Bharat Biotech + ICMRCovaxin was developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and NIV (National Institute of Virology). It is an inactivated virus vaccine — uses killed SARS-CoV-2 virus. It was India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine. Covishield was manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII) — a viral vector vaccine developed by AstraZeneca/Oxford. ZyCov-D by Zydus Cadila is the world’s first DNA vaccine for COVID-19.

✅ Answer: B) First cloned mammal from an adult somatic cellDolly the sheep (1996) was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic (body) cell using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). She was created by Ian Wilmut and colleagues at the Roslin Institute, Scotland. Before Dolly, scientists thought adult cells couldn’t be reprogrammed. Dolly proved that adult cells retain all genetic information needed to create a new organism. She lived for 6 years and died in 2003.

✅ Answer: A) Vitamin A (beta-carotene)Golden Rice was developed to address Vitamin A deficiency — a major public health problem in developing countries causing blindness and death in children. It contains genes from daffodil and bacteria that produce beta-carotene (which the body converts to Vitamin A). The rice appears golden/yellow due to beta-carotene. It was developed by Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer. It has been approved in some countries but not in India.

✅ Answer: A) Amplify (make multiple copies of) specific DNA sequencesPCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplifies specific DNA sequences — making millions of copies from a tiny sample. It was developed by Kary Mullis in 1983 (Nobel Prize 1993). PCR is used in COVID-19 testing, forensics, paternity testing, disease diagnosis, and research. Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments by size. CRISPR edits genes. DNA sequencing reads the order of nucleotides.

✅ Answer: C) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangeGEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee) functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It is the apex body for approving GM crops and organisms for environmental release in India. GEAC approved Bt cotton (2002), Bt brinjal (2010 — moratorium imposed), and GM mustard (2022 — under legal challenge). The committee evaluates biosafety, environmental impact, and socioeconomic effects of GM organisms.

✅ Answer: C) Instructing cells to produce a viral protein to trigger immune responsemRNA vaccines contain messenger RNA (mRNA) that instructs the body’s cells to produce the spike protein of the coronavirus. The immune system recognises this protein as foreign and mounts an immune response. The mRNA does not enter the cell nucleus and does not alter DNA. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines. This was the first time mRNA vaccines were used in humans at large scale. They are highly effective and can be developed quickly.

✅ Answer: B) Unauthorised use of biological resources or traditional knowledge for commercial gainBiopiracy is the unauthorised use of biological resources or traditional knowledge of indigenous communities for commercial gain without fair compensation. Famous cases involving India: Neem (US patent on neem’s antifungal properties — revoked), Turmeric (US patent on wound-healing — revoked), Basmati rice (US patent — partially revoked). India’s Biological Diversity Act 2002 and the Nagoya Protocol (2010) aim to prevent biopiracy.

✅ Answer: A) It is the world’s largest producer of generic medicines and vaccinesIndia is called the “Pharmacy of the World” because it is the world’s largest producer of generic medicines and vaccines. India supplies about 60% of the world’s vaccines and 20% of global generic medicines. Hyderabad is India’s largest pharmaceutical hub. Serum Institute of India (Pune) is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume. India’s pharma industry is worth ~$50 billion and exports to 200+ countries.