UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2026

Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct? 1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease. 2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine. 3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence. Select the answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 2 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Correct Answer

1 and 2 only

Explanation

Genetic medicines are designed to correct, replace, supplement or compensate for faulty genetic material responsible for disease, making statement 1 correct. Therapeutic genetic material can be delivered using engineered viral vectors and non-viral systems such as lipid nanoparticles, making statement 2 correct. Genetic medicines do not alter the entire DNA sequence of an individual; they generally target specific genes, mutations or genetic pathways. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.

Topics: biotechnology, gene therapy, genetic medicine, science and technology