UPSC Prelims 2019 Question:

‘RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why?

1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapies. 
2. It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer. 
3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies. 
4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Explanation:

Earlier deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the building blocks of life, can be used to treat genetic diseases. Now, there are new advances in ribonucleic acid (RNA) research also e.g., RNA interference (RNAi) technology.

• RNAi is a gene silencing technology that inhibits protein synthesis in target cells using double-stranded RNA. So, statement 1 is correct.
  
  
• RNAi technologies are used to formulate drugs to treat cancer. This technology also finds immense importance in treating acute viral infections like acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). So, statement 2 is correct.
  
  
• RNAi technologies are able to formulate drugs capable of reducing cholesterol levels by half. However, this technology cannot be used to develop hormone replacement therapies. So, statement 3 is not correct.
  
  
• RNAi has huge significance within the Indian context, considering the deep-seated resistance over the years to Bt cotton and other genetically modified seeds. RNA-reliant solutions could be a viable alternative. So, statement 4 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Science & Technology | Recent Developments