✅ Answer: A) It contains a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis that produces a protein toxic to bollwormBt cotton contains a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria that produces Cry proteins (crystal proteins) toxic to bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) — the main pest of cotton. It was approved in India in 2002 (not 1995). It was developed by Monsanto (now Bayer) and licensed to Indian seed companies. Bt cotton is India’s only approved GM crop. It is resistant to bollworm but not all pests.

✅ Answer: B) Rio de Janeiro (1992)The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. It has three main objectives: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of biological resources, and fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources. The Nagoya Protocol (2010) under CBD specifically addresses access and benefit sharing to prevent biopiracy. India’s Biological Diversity Act 2002 implements CBD obligations.

✅ Answer: A) Alec Jeffreys (1984)DNA fingerprinting was developed by Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester, UK in 1984. It uses the unique pattern of repetitive DNA sequences (VNTRs) in each person’s genome. It is used in forensics (crime investigation), paternity testing, and identifying disaster victims. In India, CDFD (Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics) in Hyderabad is the premier centre. James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double helix structure of DNA (1953).

✅ Answer: B) World’s first DNA vaccine approved for COVID-19ZyCov-D by Zydus Cadila is the world’s first DNA vaccine to be approved for COVID-19. It uses plasmid DNA that encodes the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. It is administered using a needle-free injector (PharmaJet). It was approved for emergency use in India in August 2021 for people aged 12 and above. DNA vaccines are considered more stable than mRNA vaccines and don’t require ultra-cold storage.

✅ Answer: B) Pune, MaharashtraThe Serum Institute of India (SII) is located in Pune, Maharashtra. It is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, producing over 1.5 billion doses annually. It manufactures vaccines for polio, measles, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 (Covishield). SII was founded by Cyrus Poonawalla in 1966. During COVID-19, SII played a crucial role in supplying vaccines to India and developing countries through COVAX.

✅ Answer: A) Self-renew and differentiate into specialised cell typesStem cells are unique because they can self-renew (make copies of themselves) and differentiate (develop into specialised cell types like heart cells, nerve cells, blood cells). Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent (can become any cell type). Adult stem cells are multipotent (limited cell types). iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) are adult cells reprogrammed to behave like embryonic stem cells. Stem cells have potential for treating diseases like Parkinson’s, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries.

✅ Answer: C) 2003The Human Genome Project (HGP) was completed in April 2003. It was an international scientific research project that sequenced the entire human genome (~3 billion base pairs, ~20,000-25,000 genes). It was launched in 1990 and involved scientists from USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan, and China. India participated through CCMB (Hyderabad) and other institutions. The HGP has revolutionised medicine, enabling personalised medicine and understanding of genetic diseases.

✅ Answer: C) 2002India’s Biological Diversity Act was passed in 2002 to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It aims to conserve biological diversity, ensure sustainable use of biological resources, and ensure fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources. It established the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) in Chennai. It requires prior approval for accessing India’s biological resources. It helps prevent biopiracy of India’s traditional knowledge and biological resources.

✅ Answer: B) Tuberculosis (TB)BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine provides protection against tuberculosis (TB). It is a live attenuated vaccine — uses weakened Mycobacterium bovis. It is given to newborns in India under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). India has the highest TB burden in the world. The BCG vaccine was developed by Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin in France (1921). It also provides some protection against leprosy and other mycobacterial infections.

✅ Answer: B) Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2012 was awarded to Shinya Yamanaka (Japan) and John Gurdon (UK) for discovering that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Yamanaka showed that adult mouse skin cells could be reprogrammed into iPSCs by introducing just 4 genes. iPSCs behave like embryonic stem cells but avoid the ethical controversy of using embryos. This discovery revolutionised regenerative medicine.